Each year, different organizations in the community hold back to school giveaways where local students are given necessary school supplies for the upcoming year. Shereva Purifoy decided she wanted to take matters into her own hands and have her very own fun day and school supply drive for the youth.

Purifoy organized the “Back to School Bash” as a way to both give back and provide a safe and fun outlet for students before school resumes in August.

“It was my vision to do something for the community and bring the community together,” she said. “Me and family friend and fellow church member, Keeshanda Trip, presented the idea to our pastor and he agreed to let us use our church for the location.”

The free event will be held at St. Paul Community Methodist Church located at 826 Choctaw Ave. on Saturday, Aug. 4 beginning at noon.

“Our kids need something positive and for someone to show them that they love them,” Purifoy said. “After all of the negativity that’s been surrounding Selma lately, I just felt like our community needed to come together and do something positive for them.”

The bash will have bouncy houses, food, entertainment and games. Along with all of the fun, each student will receive a backpack full of school supplies for the upcoming year. Purifoy said she has big ideas for the event, and she wants a lot of community’s youth to be present to reap the benefits.

“My vision is more than 1,000 kids,” Purifoy said. “We want everyone there.”

There will also be special school uniform giveaways, and the fun will be followed by a gospel concert.

“The church is the heart of the community,” Purifoy said. “The church is very important, and when I grew up, our church had a lot of activities for us, and the kids now aren’t having the same opportunity we had.”

Purifoy hopes this event serves as a way to bring the community together no matter their race, socio-economic status or church affiliation. She said she wants everyone to feel welcome and come out and support the local youth.

For more information or to donate to the cause contact Purifoy at (334)413-4582.