Supporting the future of Barry County

For the third year in a row Electric Beach provided free haircuts to children who attended the Barry County OACAC Neighborhood Center's annual School Readiness Fair, held on Aug. 8. Pictured above, are: Electric Beach hairstylist Kristy Koehler and Wyatt Alexander, of Butterfield.

Last week, I had the opportunity to cover the Barry County OACAC Neighborhood Center's annual School Readiness Fair, which supplies hundreds of children from low-income families with school supplies, new clothing and other items and services.

I am always amazed to see how many local businesses and organizations come together to support the children of Barry County during this annual event.

Representatives of the Barry County Health Department are always there to hand out free items and information to families, and St. John's Hospital-Cassville usually offers children a box of tissues, which we all know is a back-to-school staple.

The Barry County Soil and Water Conservation District is often present to tell kids about some of the organization's youth programs, and the Girl Scouts are there to recruit new members.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources usually sends a representative of Roaring River State Park's nature center who tells children about conservation programs and kids' fishing events.

The Cassville Branch Library often gives kids a free book, and representatives of Crowder College are present to distribute information about local programs.

This year's fair was also attended by the Missouri Department of Social Services and Parents as Teachers, and Cassville Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Officer Jim Stepp was present to hand out free pencils, stickers and drug resistance information.

In addition to the organization's that set up booths for the fair, it is supported by other individuals and businesses who donate school supplies and clothing for the event. Still others volunteer their time to help sort, pack and distribute the donated items, and dozens of volunteers are usually present to assist with fair activities.

Each year, as I make my way around the fair booths, snapping photos of children and their families I am mesmerized by the appreciation of most of the fair goers.

It is also touching to realize that many of the children who attend the fair would probably go to school without any supplies if it were not for the generosity of our local community.

I would like to salute all of the individuals and businesses that donate funds, items or their time to the Barry County Neighborhood Center's School Readiness Fair.

I hope each person involved understands the difference they are making in these youngsters lives, and I hope that seeing the generosity of our community will help some of these children grow up to support future generations of Barry County kids.