Thrive Chelan Valley hosts back-to-school fair for Chelan, Manson students

CHELAN—Thrive Chelan Valley will host the annual Back-To-School Fair for Chelan and Manson students on Saturday, August 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Manson High School.

Each year the fair provides free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, resource booths, and fun activities, Thrive Chelan Valley's Executive Director Stefani Morgan said.

"The Back to School Fair helps students in our valley prepare for the upcoming school year," Morgan said. "Starting a new school year can be nerve-wracking for students and families. The fair makes sure that all youth have an opportunity to get what they need, despite their age, race, financial situation, etc., to start the year off right."  

"Like all of our services, we don't require that you prove any kind of need for these items," she said. "This fair is meant for everyone."

This year Columbia Valley Community Health will provide sports physicals during the event.

"So we are very excited about that," Morgan said. 

Due to limited availability, pre-appointments are recommended by calling or texting Nancy Tovar at 509-881-9376. 

The Lake Chelan Valley Back to School Fair has been an end-of-summer tradition for a decade. Over the years, various organizations have run it in different locations. This will be Thrive Chelan Valley's fourth year organizing the event.

"Our goal has always been to make sure it's accessible to all students," Morgan said. "This year, we've decided to have the fair at Manson High School, with the long-term goal of going back and forth each year between Chelan and Manson."  

"For those who don't drive or usually walk to the fair, we hope they will still come," she said. "They can just catch the link bus to downtown Manson, then our Thrive shuttle will take them up to the school and then back down to the bus stop."  

The Thrive shuttle will run continuously from 12-4:30 p.m. on August 17.

This year, the fair will have backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, sports physicals, health and wellness checks, resource booths, and fun activities like a bouncy house and glitter tattoos.

"The resource booths that we include in this event are all incredibly valuable to families in Chelan and Manson," Morgan said. "Our goal is that families walk away that day with a lot of the physical things they need to start the new school year and get new information on places where they can get help and resources throughout the year."

Last year, Thrive gave away about 400 backpacks filled with school supplies.

School supplies are funded through event sponsors. Sponsors this year are Cashmere Valley Bank, Chelan Toys & Sweets, CVCH, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce, Lake Chelan Health & Wellness, Lake Life, RealLife NCW, Thrive Chelan Valley, TFS Advisors Dale and Tara Terwedo, Thriving Together, Wheatland Bank, Woodin Enterprises, and Woody's.  

"We couldn't do this event each year without our generous sponsors," Morgan said.

Thrive is still looking for more volunteers to help with the event. If you would like to help, email executivedirector@thrivechelanvalley.com.

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.