When the 2014-15 school year began for Shelby County Schools earlier this month, more than 10,000 kids were reportedly missing in attendance. This was largely attributed to many students lacking school uniforms and supplies.
Building Blocks Mentoring Program (BBMP), a local organization dedicated to empowering inner-city youth, will be providing underprivileged youth with new uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies, during its upcoming “Back-to-School Charity Event.”
- BBMP
In collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Drumma Boy’s Drum Squad Foundation, BBMP seeks to not only supply Memphis youth with school necessities through its charity event, but also to lessen the burden parents have to make ends meet and provide for their kids.
“We usually have this weekend event two weeks after school starts, so that we can really help those families that have to make a choice [of either] buying a backpack or paying a phone bill or putting food on the table,” said BBMP Chairman Stephon Smallwood. “We want to be a true blessing to those families.”
BBMP’s sixth annual back-to-school event will be a three-day affair. It begins with a school supplies giveaway at Airways Middle School (2601 Ketchum) on Saturday, August 23rd. The giveaway will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A community day and charity basketball game will take place later that day at Street Ministries (1304 N. Graham) from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday, August 24th, there will be a “Building Lives Fashion Show” that will feature models strutting in brands from local boutiques. Ampro Gel Industries will present the event, which will take place at Street Ministries from 3 to 5 p.m.
That evening, Drumma Boy will host a tasting of Moreno BHLV Luxury Sparkling Wine at Prive’ Restaurant (6980 Winchester) from 5 to 7 p.m.
On the culminating day of BBMP’s charity event, Monday, August 25th, kids will be able to receive free haircuts from 1 to 3 p.m. at Airways Middle.
The organization will present its annual awards ceremony and silent auction at Street Ministries from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday evening. Drumma Boy is slated to be presented with BBMP’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. Attendees are encouraged to dress in business casual attire.
“We want the city to know that you have small organizations that do their part, and really want to see the city grow as a whole,” Smallwood said. “We also [want to] let kids know that, ‘Hey, we love you. We’re here.’ We’re going to play our part in seeing the betterment of them in their futures in the community.”
To learn more about the charity event, click here or here.
