SHELBY — Harold Wayman wanted to take a different approach to a back-to-school event for local children.
Wayman, executive director of the Richland Outreach Center, decided to create a day around distributing free hygiene products to Richland County students.
“We figured that parents might have the kids covered on school supplies, so we figured we would cover hygiene,” he said.
On Saturday, more than 250 hygiene bags — including everything from shampoo to dental floss and deodorant — were offered to attendees of ROC’s first-ever “Back to School Bash,” which took place at the Shelby Dream Center.
The free, two-hour event also included haircuts, inflatables, games, a dunk tank and food.
Members of the Shelby Fire Department brought a firetruck and ambulance for children to interact with and ask questions about. Third Street Family Health Services was present with an information booth and Sweet Bubble and Bean offered a variety of coffee and cold drinks.
A screening of “Kung Fu Panda 4” was also offered to attendees beginning at 9 p.m.
“This is our first-ever one (“Back to School Bash”) and I believe so far it’s a good turnout,” Wayman said Saturday afternoon.
Gallery: First-ever Richland Outreach Center “Back to School Bash”
(Below are photos taken Saturday in Shelby during the Richland Outreach Center’s first-ever “Back to School Bash.”)
Wayman settling into executive director position
The ROC was founded in 2015 by Tara Klebowski, who recently passed the torch in July to Wayman.
Nearly a month into his new role, Wayman said it’s been going well, but he’s still adjusting to the busyness which comes with the position.
“It’s a lot of work when you take over something,” the executive director said. “My day starts basically around 7 a.m. and doesn’t end some nights until 11 p.m. or midnight.”
“It’s a lot of work, but a lot of fun.”
Klebowski previously told Richland Source that ROC helps more than 3,500 people each year with a focus on children.
ROC’s Shelby and Mansfield locations are accepting applications for new volunteers — who can choose to work with one or both locations and go through a vetting process.
Anyone with questions can contact Wayman at Harold@RichlandOutreachCenter.Org or call 419-565-0903. Richland Outreach Center is also on Facebook.