Bethlehem Temple’s annual Adopt-a-Student event provides essential support for local families

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — An annual event that has helped hundreds of people for more than three decades was held today in North Wheeling.

Ensuring a child has everything they need to return to school can often be very stressful for families.

Luckily, in the Ohio Valley, organizations like the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple are here to relieve the stress of back-to-school shopping.

For more than 30 years, the adopt-a-student program has been providing free bookbags, school supplies, clothing, food, and now even free haircuts.

Bishop Darrell Cummings says helping those in need is more important now than ever.

Just in the 34 years we’ve been doing it, the prices have gone up significantly. Things that we used to buy for less than a dollar now cost two and $3. So you can come in here, and you can shop without money and without credit and without having to pay anything back.”

Bishop Darrell Cummings – Bethlehem Apostolic Temple

Bishop Cummings says the event wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of community members who donate items and come out to share the excitement surrounding going back to school.

Ohio County Sheriff Chief Deputy Nelson Croft says their team has been helping with the event for over 20 years.

While the event is a huge help for many families, he says it also helps his team connect with the community.

The deputies get a feel for the community and the community gets a feel for them and it puts a personal, you know, I’m your friend type of thing out there with them. And the deputies really love it. It probably touches them more than it does the children.”

Chief Deputy Nelson Croft, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office

It’s often said that sharing is caring, and Bishop Cumming’s hope is that someday their tradition of giving will continue.

When they grow up, they remember somebody helped them, and then they want to help somebody. And so it’s just a reciprocal effect and it makes our whole community better. It puts unity in our community.”

Bishop Darrell Cummings, Bethlehem Apostolic Temple

The Bethlehem Apostolic Temple will continue its back-to-school celebration tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Wheeling Park Amphitheater.

The festival will include free rides, food, and much more.

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