The first annual School Ready Fest was a huge success!! If you happened to drive by the Extension Office on the morning of July 14, you were probably surprised to find the bypass lined with cars and families waiting in line to enter the building. There were about 40 families waiting in line at 7 a.m.; the doors opened at 8. It was exciting to see so many people anxious to attend.

The Ready Fest Committee of the Youth Action Team of Logan County reports that 757 students were served with all but just a few receiving school supplies. We actually ran out twice and had to purchase more at the local Dollar General Mart. In addition to school supplies, we also handed out more than 300 backpacks, 50 door prizes and 250 new t-shirts, provided 87 haircuts and 33 physicals, and gave away 20 booster seats. The event featured 43 vendors and over 75 volunteers!

We had students attend from every city and county school, including high schools, as well as home schooled and Russellville Christian School students.

We definitely accomplished our goal of helping the families in Russellville & Logan County prepare for a new school year. We will take feedback from participants and vendors to improve the event next year. All comments on the event were positive!!

We owe a huge thank you to Charlotte Stratton for heading up our first ever Ready Fest. We also would like to thank everyone in the community for the monetary donations, school supplies that were collected and donated, and the great participation for our first event.

We owe a big Thank You to the Logan County Extension Office for allowing us to use their facilities and to Farmer's Market for sharing their space with us. All were gracious hosts!

We will begin planning next year's event very soon. Donations will be accepted year round. This was a great first year of hopefully many more to come.

Kathy Thweat is a resident of Logan County, a member of the Youth Action Team, and a health educator with the Barren River Health Department.