What began as a community effort to ease the cost of back-to-school shopping once again brought hundreds of Ray County families together during the Ray County Coalition’s second annual backto- school resource fair.

The recent event served 321 children and welcomed another 184 adults to the new Special Needs Services of Ray County building in Richmond. While organizers fell short of their goal of assisting 500 children, they said the fair’s impact extended beyond the event through health screenings, community resources and excess school supplies later distributed to all four Ray County school districts.

Ray County Coalition Board President Karen Schachtele emphasized the fair’s value extends beyond distributing school supplies, helping children begin the school year feeling confident and ready to participate.

“Back to school time is so exciting for children to show off their new backpacks, supplies, clothes and shoes; it is a fresh start and anything we can do to help children be excited a…