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Destiny House helps area children head back to school

CALCUTTA-Area kids in need received a back- to- school- boost from a local church on Saturday. Destiny House Assembly of God hosted its fifth annual Community Day offering free school supplies, food and fun to area children before they head back to school this month.

Kids in grades kindergarten through fourth packed the back parking lot of Destiny House on Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road in Calcutta, having fun with various attractions and gearing up to head back to school.

The Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department put two of their fire trucks on display at the event, allowing kids to look inside and even sit behind wheel. At one point Destiny House Pastor, Cody Berry, was lifted high above the parking lot by the department’s ladder truck for his whole congregation to see. Air Evac Lifeteam landed their helicopter at the event and let kids climb inside to get a better look.

Dr. Miladin was on hand, offering free scoliosis exams to make sure kids are healthy before heading back to school. Destiny House volunteers were also helping kids look their best for the school year by providing free hair cuts.

What started 5 years ago as giving away 100 back packs filled with supplies has grown substantially to 500 back packs, according to social ministry outreach director Teresa Diffenderfer. “We don’t want to turn anybody away, and this is a good way to start the year off,” she said.

Second Harvest Food Bank helped provide kids with what food they need to get off to a healthy start this school year, donating 14 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables.

No day of fun is complete of course without icecream, so Brusters sweetened up the event by donating their famous real ice cream. Hotdogs, hamburgers and other cookout fair was also free through Destiny House.

“We want to help people in our community take care of some of the things going on in life and with school starting in just a few weeks there’s a need for school supplies, and we like to have fun doing that,” said Pastor Cody Berry.

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