WATERLOO: First Baptist ends summer
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| First Baptist Church of Waterloo Pastor the Rev. Steve Neil calls out the names of prospective helicopter riders at the church's third annual Back-to-School Fair. Terry Smith photo |
 
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It was the church's third annual Back-to-School Fair, an event that treats families to a last helping of summer fun before the school bell rings for the first time this school year.
There were inflatable slides and jumpers, carnival games such as ring toss and baseball toss, helicopter rides, hot dogs, popcorn and Kool-Aid.But kids also took home pens, paper, notebooks, markers and other items they'll need to get into the learning swing this week.
"They can even get a free haircut for back-to-school," Sue Shipp, a member of First Baptist who coordinated the fair, said.
That is, if they redeem one of the coupons Shipp said "every hair-style shop in Waterloo" donated to the church for the event.
Three years ago, an outreach committee at First Baptist conceived the Back-to-School Fair.
"We wanted to get involved in the community and thought we could do it this way. When you have kids, you have to buy a lot of things to get them started back (to school). We think supplying them with things they need is a service to the community," Shipp said.
The church got "back-to-school" supply lists from Wal-Mart and through the congregation's and some sponsors' generosity purchased grade-specific supplies for students.
"Then, you also want to give people a reason to come down and meet with family and friends, so we brought in the food and games," Shipp said.
Shipp estimated more than 150 people attended the fair and 80 went up in the helicopter. The event drew from Columbia, Waterloo, Smithton, Red Bud and other nearby communities.
First Baptist's Back-to-School Fair team consisted of Shipp, her husband Stan Shipp, Andi Trantham, Paul and Mary Kaiser, Elaine Hesse and Angie Felix.
