Students from five counties get ‘Back2School’ surprise

The idea was to make sure students had what they needed by the time the first day of class rolls around next week. And to do that, a number of organizations came together for a ‘Back2School’ project on Saturday, July 27, providing school supplies for more than 225 students from Prince Edward, Cumberland, Charlotte, Amelia and Nottoway counties.

“It was awesome,” said Louis Gould III, who helped organize the event.

Gould is a history teacher at Prince Edward Middle School, but that’s just one of several hats he wears at the facility. He’s also the school’s boys basketball coach and runs their track and field program too.

For the ‘Back2School’ project, Gould also brought in support from another operation he runs, the Fresh Boyz Club, a nonprofit youth mentorship program. The Club worked with its sister operation, the Fresh Girlz Club, The Fit Academy, Farmville Health and Rehab, JayK Cooks, the Prince Edward Department of Social Services, Southside Family YMCA, Farmville Parks and Recreation, FACES Food Pantry, the Kappa Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Prince Edward’s Kids. They handed out 3-subject notebooks, composition books, markers, colored pencils, crayons, regular pencils and other supplies, so that families won’t have to spend as much and students will be ready for the first day of class.

The event was held at Southside Family YMCA, where students and their families got more than supplies. They were able to get free food and free haircuts too.

“Today was amazing,” Southside YMCA officials said in a post on social media. “We are so appreciative and honored to be the location for the Back2School Giveaway.”

Several residents also thanked the groups for helping, emailing the Herald to praise the efforts made. They declined to give their names, not wanting to connect their children with the need. Gould said he and everyone else involved were just happy to help.

“Teamwork always makes the dream work,” Gould said. “It’s always great when we are able to get together to give back to so many.”

Editor’s note : You can read more about Gould’s work in Farmville by clicking here .

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