Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Central Alabama Wellness, formerly Chilton Shelby Mental Health Center, will host a Back to School Bash on July 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will be held Jemison City Park at 396 Brenda Lane.

The organization is inviting the entire community to enjoy vendors, live music, carnival games and food trucks. At least 300 backpacks filled with school supplies will be given away on a first come, first served basis, Zina Cartwell of Central Alabama Wellness said.

“Even though we are calling it a Back to School Bash, … we want the whole community to come out and have a good time,” she said.

Central Alabama Wellness had planned events last year to introduce their new name to the community, but these had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year, we decided to do more awareness to the community,” Cartwell said.

“We also wanted to do something that would give back to the community based on the needs of the pandemic, and we thought a back to school bash would be a good way to do that.”

The organization will also be working to increase awareness of the dangers of underage drinking as a part of the event.

Any organization or community resource interested in being a vendor at the event should contact Cartwell at 205-728-8454 or zcartwell@centralalabamawellness.org

Participating vendors need to be family-friendly.

Cartwell said Jemison was chosen as the location for this event because the organization is looking to expand its services to the area.

The goal is to “pour into the community” through mental wellness education and possibly creating a local coalition, she said.