The ARK Educational Resource Center, a non-profit organization located on 208 E. Front St., in Laurel, hosted its 12th annual “Back to School Jamboree” on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The well attended and free event was held at Janosik Park close to the venter’s headquarters. 

The day was filled with food provided by Jonathan and Miriam Kellam of Jonathan’s Delights, games of an education wheel and a giant tic, tac, toe board, music provided by Gary Flowers, Highest Praise Production, face painting, and prizes. Apostle Levin Bailey from Pilgrims Ministry of Deliverance gave the opening prayer, and a moment of silence was conducted for former Laurel Mayor John Shwed who recently passed. 

Approximately 200 book bags of all colors and sizes were donated by a plethora of sponsors and distributed to students from kindergarten to high school level. Parents were required to register on Eventbrite, and afterwards, received a ticket at the registration table, where the students picked up their free bookbag. All students had to be accompanied by a parent. Attending the event were Mayor Carlos Oliveras, Town Manager Jamie Smith, Councilmen Jonathan Kellam and Chris Calio, and Laurel Police Chief Robert F. Kracyla.

One popular game at the Jamboree was the kid and adult limbo contest. The contest requires each participant to pass under a stick or rod held by two people on either side. No part of the contestant’s body can touch the stick or they will be eliminated. In the kids’  contest the winner was Josue Valesquez, 8, of Georgetown. Coincidentally, Josue’s mother, Jenny Paz won the adult contest, in spite of Chief Kracyla’s extraordinary efforts. Kracyla, the most senior of all the contestants, showed remarkable agility and finished in fourth place.

Joyce Sessoms, Executive Director, was very thankful about how the day progressed. “I’m just thankful that the rain held back, and that people thought that what we are doing as a community service is important enough to spend their Saturday with us,” she said. ”Considering the heat, I feel everything went as smooth as silk. Everyone was cooperative. We didn’t run into any problems. All the vendors found out what their space was and they operated in excellence. I was especially pleased that some of the leaders of this town came to support us, like the chief of police and town councilmen.” 

“We are in need of volunteers, desperately, to help our young people learn to read and to compute math. So, if you have two hours per week to volunteer with us, we would certainly appreciate it if you would go to arkeducation.org and complete a volunteer application, and interview with me. I can get you set up. I’m telling you, when you find your mentee, you will receive more love than you can handle. That’s what it’s all about, sharing the love,” she said.

Sponsors included: Crossroad Community Church, Above & Beyond HVAC, Vital Church, Edward Jones-Melinda Tingle, A Father’s Heart, Pilgrim’s Ministry, Joan Boyd Neal, Central Worship Center, Shirley Hooper, Randall Cash, and Cindy’s Designs.

A statement from the Board of Directors reads, “Each of the 12 years the ARK has hosted the Back to School Jamboree, we are always blessed by the community support. The sponsors and volunteers make serving possible. God has always favored us with good weather, smiling and excited children, and amazing community resource vendors. The ARK Board of Directors, and the Sessoms are privileged and honored to help send our children back to school prepared to learn.”

The ARK is a 501 c3 non-profit organization serving the community since Oct. 1, 2013. It provides an After-School program with one-on-one and small group tutoring along with monthly parent information sessions and teen group encounters. The Center has a mission to prepare K-12 students for literacy and math proficiency and serves Sussex County families through education, community, outreach, advocacy, and consulting.

The ARK’s vision statement is to prepare each student that we serve for academic and life success.

The ARK is still receiving requests for backpacks and will make every effort to fill orders while supplies last. For further contact, call 302-715-5318, fax 302-715-5319, and Facebook at The ARK Educational Resource Center.