Leechburg celebrates back to school with block party

Leechburg-area students got a warm welcome back to school Saturday on Main Street.

Sponsored by the Leechburg Ministerial Association, families and community members descended upon the inaugural Back 2 School Block Party for free school supplies, food, refreshments, games and more.

“I am amazed to see how much our community cares about our children,” said the Rev. Jim Arter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leechburg. “From the church volunteers to emergency responders. To me, it’s priceless to kids and families to know that these are all the people who care about them.”

The first day of school in the Leechburg Area School District is Aug. 23.

First Lutheran teamed up with Cross Roads, Leechburg First United Methodist, Hebron Lutheran, Forks Zion Lutheran and Christ the King Parish — and other community first responders and local leaders — to coordinate the event.

Sara Wrona, pastor at First United Methodist, said a friend recalled that years ago, Leechburg held a similar-style block party before school began. This summer, churches came together to do something similar and, “it just kind of took on a life of its own,” she said. Success of an Easter egg hunt this spring gave organizers the confidence to host another community event.

“I believe — and I think everyone else does as well — that we’re stronger together and we can do more together,” Wrona said.

All churches pitched in to create the back-to-school bags, which featured pencils, erasers, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, tissue packs, vouchers for new backpacks, and coupons for haircuts at Debi’s Hair Creations.

Other activities included a fire safety house with generator from the Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department, music by DJ Jonathan, face painting, outdoor games, a story time reading, bucket rides from the Leechburg Fire Department and “cookies with cops.”

The event earned the endorsement from friends Kaedyn Joris, 14, and twins Sophia and Nick Hilty, 15, all students at Leechburg High School.

“As a small town, I think we’re really blessed to have a convention for kids to get supplies for school,” Nick said.

Brianna Schreckengost of Leechburg picked up school supplies with children Benton McKendree, 11, and Emma Schreckengost, 6, and John Schreckengost, 5. Brianna believed events like the one Saturday are positive and promote the community.

“It’s nice,” she said. “It’s something new and it’ll bring the community together.”

Wrona and Arter said they hope to coordinate the event next year.

“I love seeing the way the community comes together,” Wrona said.