Families get ready for school start with back-to-school bash at Willow Creek Care Center

Suburban students and their families geared up for the start of the school year during a Back to School Bash Thursday hosted by Willow Creek Care Center in South Barrington.

Students in prekindergarten through 12th grade received free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, and dental and eye exams so they can begin the school year with “dignity and confidence,” organizers said.

There were 3,400 students registered for the three-day event, nearly 1,000 more than in previous years.

Carrie Schumacher, director of the Care Center, said Willow Creek Community Church does a drive every year, and members of the congregation bring backpacks and certain school supplies, while some of the items are purchased through the care center's budget.

“We recognize there's a need in the community and we want to do well by people and provide as much as we can,” Schumacher said. “One in four families doesn’t have the income for what it costs to go back to school.”

It can cost more than $900 per year to get each student ready for school, she said.

“It’s a financial hardship for a lot of families to provide everything kids need, so our motivation is to make sure there’s equitable access for every single student, regardless of their circumstances,” Schumacher said.

The event continues from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.