FOR KIDS, FOR REAL
If we had a nickel for every time a South Carolina politician told us they were doing something “for the children,” we could retire today. And live lavishly.
It’s an oft-repeated refrain, yet we rarely see it put into practice … unless of course we’re talking about politicians throwing larger and larger gobs of other people’s money (a.k.a. your money) on a government-run system that has demonstrably failed the children of this state for decades.
An exception to this rule? State representative Kirkman Finlay, who each year organizes an annual “Back to School Bash” for the purpose of providing school supplies to needy children in the Columbia, S.C. area.
Not only that, Finlay and Richland County, S.C. councilman Damon Jeter use the occasion to provide a free meal to hundreds of needy families.
“At last year’s event, a crowd of over 800 attended,” Finlay told us. “We expect a larger crowd this year and plan on giving out schools supplies to at least 500 students or more, as long as
supplies last.”
Sponsored by Finlay’s nonprofit (the Finlay Scholars charitable organization) and corporate supporters like Walmart and Green’s Beverages, this year’s even will take place this Sunday (August 13) from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT at Trenholm Road Park in downtown Columbia.
“We are still accepting donations to help defray the costs of the
event,” Finlay said. “You can donate online at finlayscholars.org.”
If you really want to do something “for the children,” we would encourage you to join Finlay in participating in a program that actually provides for their needs as opposed to exploiting them for bureaucratic gain.
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