600 backpacks supplied at Clover kickoff event

Nearly 600 backpacks filled with school supplies were handed out Aug. 14 to the children of the Clover School District at the annual Back-to-School Kickoff at Memorial Stadium.

Representatives from each of the district’s 10 schools welcomed students and presented them with a backpack.

Steppin’ High, a Rock Hill-based charity, gave 297 pairs of shoes.

Families were also offered the opportunity for eye exams, along with activities including games, face painting, a bounce house and free admission to the final scrimmage for the Clover High School football team.

About 1,500 people came out for the community event, which helped kickoff the Aug. 17 start of the school year.

“The community support was astonishing with an abundance of supplies donated by the likes of New River Church and the York County Sheriff’s Office,” said Bryan Dillon, spokesman for the district.

This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 11:54 AM with the headline "600 backpacks supplied at Clover kickoff event."