“Fresh Start” Event Set to Return this August

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Back to school is just around the corner, and “Fresh Start” will take place at the end of August.

“Fresh Start” is an annual event held at the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center that prepares students for school free of charge. Whether it’s a haircut, school supplies, backpacks, or free food, “Fresh Start” provides it all. James Hesen, supervisor of family, community, and school programs for Wicomico County, attends the event every year, saying the resources provided are invaluable to success.

“It forges ahead with that successful piece,” he said. “You have to be ready and willing to learn; you have to be present. We talk to folks about chronic absenteeism and making sure they are in school the very first day.”

Hesen shared that a range of community partners contribute to “Fresh Start,” including the Salisbury Optimist Club. President Michelle Prior explained how the Optimist Club is proud to give back to the community.

“The event is so aptly named. It’s a fresh start for back to school,” she said. “We are serving the community in a way that they need to be served.”

She explained that the most rewarding experience was volunteering at the backpack booth. Hesen shared that for him, it’s all about seeing the reactions from the families, saying, “You see families you’ve made connections with, you see students you’ve made connections with, and they are happy to see you because they haven’t seen you since June.”

The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. on August 24 and is first-come, first-served. To become a vendor, contact mental health coordinator Meredith Miller at the Wicomico County Board of Education, (410) 677-4400.