Back to School Bash will be Saturday in Berwick

The Gulf Coast Organization returns to participate in the 2022 St. Mary Parish Back to School Bash noon-4 p.m. Saturday at the Berwick Civic Center.

The Back to School Bash is an annual education-driven community event organized by event planner Stephanie Hartman of Patterson.

Under its Jump Start to a Great Start Initiative, GCO strives to mitigate the rising cost of education through scholarship awards and academic stipends. Expanding its programs and services from Texas into Louisiana, GCO strives to help reduce financial barriers that often confront students with high academic and leadership promise. At last year's bash, GCO awarded four scholarships, and that number will double at this year's event due to critical corporate sponsorship from MC Bank.

In addition to scholarships, the bash bolsters the distribution of more than 500 new backpacks filled with essential supplies for K-12 and college students along with door prizes that consist of dorm-size refrigerators, microwaves, graphing calculators, and televisions. This event has also attracted 31 vendors, community service providers, and educational organizations.