Students get lesson in giving freely

 BY KELLY HINCHCLIFFE,
The Herald-SunAugust 22, 2006 

DURHAM -- As a rising senior at Northern High School, Sherman Toomer has seen his back-to-school bills rise with each grade he progresses.

"When you get in higher grades they ask for more and more things," he said. "Calculators -- those are expensive, like $100."

While Sherman, 17, wasn't able to find a free $100 calculator, he was able to get other school supplies for free on Tuesday at the Durham Rescue Mission's Eighth Annual Back to School Party.

With help from GlaxoSmithKline and Verizon Wireless, the Rescue Mission was able to give away more than 1,900 backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, glue, rulers and other items.

"It's pretty good stuff," Sherman said, with his new backpack strapped to his back. "This place helps for shortening the list."

More than 3,300 community members attended the party, which officially began at 11 a.m. But some children started lining up at 5 a.m., according to organizers. By 7 a.m., hundreds of people had lined up outside the Rescue Mission's doors.

"These children were afraid if they were not first in line they may not get a backpack," said Tony Gooch, development representative for the Rescue Mission. "And if they don't get a backpack and school supplies here, they won't have them for school."

Besides school supplies, children and their families enjoyed carnival games and a 25-foot inflatable slide.

They were also treated to hot dogs, chips, lemonade, popcorn and snow cones. Free clothes were also available.

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By the numbers

4,760 -- Hot dogs served 
1,915 -- Backpacks given 
1,000 -- Bags of popcorn 
2,500 -- Snow cones 
2,000 -- Slides on the 25-foot slide 
200 -- Calls made for free in the U.S. 
20 -- International calls made 
3,202 -- Pieces of clothing 
301 -- Volunteers 

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