A 13-year family tradition has turned into a 'labor of love' and community pride in Newark on this Labor Day weekend for a close-knit NJ family.
Had someone told The B&SWT of Newark that a simple gesture of giving back to the community during a time where some find difficulty in obtaining the essentials in receiving a good education, they probably would have been shocked to know in 2018 that their deeds would explode into showering the community with over 300 bookbags and personal groomings of as many as 30 children with haircuts and hairstyles.
The family, **Brothers & Sisters Working Together**, has done just that, on Sunday and during their quest to place smiles on the faces of hundreds who showed up at the McKinley School for their annual back to school supplies giveaway and barbecue.
According to a statement released by the organization's spokesperson, the family group came together in 2005 to give back to the children of Newark who needed things -that we may take for granted- but could be useful in jump-starting a child's progress in school.
The spokesperson said, at the annual day of giving, children received free book bags, school supplies, and haircuts all while enjoying a day of fun that included face painting, a bounce house, jump ropes, basketball and football games.
While children in the community received their supplies and personal groomings, other members of B&SWT used the time to prepare food, barbecue on a grill, and engage children in the city in conversations that included staying positive and immediately removing themselves from situations that may become out of control with their peers.
As thousands of children make their ways back to school buildings in Newark on tomorrow -Tuesday, September 4, 2018- for the first day of school, all that attended B&SWT 's day of giving back will have new bookbags, pens, paper, folders and the older kids received calculators the spokesperson said.
All of B&SWT are graduates of Newark Public Schools graduates and all of the funds used to put together group members donated this event according to the spokesperson.
From all of here at **RLS Metro Breaking News of NJ**, we want to wish all of New Jersey children and college-aged adults a safe, happy and return to their institutions of learning. A special shout-out to all educators and staff who will be awaiting the kids' return.