MABLETON — A crush of more than 500 people descended upon First Baptist Church here July 18 for back-to-school supplies as well as services such as dental and eye exams.
First Mableton
Volunteers with the Colgate dental van in the parking lot of First Baptist Church in Mableton prepare to see those who gathered July 18 for free check-ups. The dental visits were part of an overall community back-to-school effort that also included free school supplies, backpacks, and eye exams.
“The church had done this in the past, but not in the past four years,” said Aaron Brookshire, associate pastor of youth and education. “We began partnering with local schools the last few months of the school year and in March started planning this event.”
Backpacks customized with the church’s logo and containing New Testaments and school supplies greeted students. A dental van provided by Colgate and eye and hearing exams were also available as well as a meal provided by the church.
“We cooked more than 600 hot dogs and they were all gone,” said Brookshire.
In addition, church members dressed as biblical characters served as guides to groups of 20-30 while telling that character’s story.
“Our people couldn’t believe the overwhelming response,” said Brookshire. “The line to get in was at least 100 feet. There was every age represented and a great spirit.”