Getting a good start to the school year should be easier for young people who attended the Back to School Workshop and Luncheon at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Let’s Lend a Helping Hand Inc. and the church sponsored the Sept. 26 event. It was coordinated by the Rev. Latasha Wilks, president of the agency and one of Mt. Zion’s associate pastors.

Linda Beaty spoke to the children about healthy eating, exercising, and facing obesity. Her workshop included dance routines that allowed the students to work out while having fun.

Officer Annice Chunn from the Salisbury Police Department spoke to the children about gang and crime prevention, safety, bullying, and more. They also learned the that she wears to work weighs 25 pounds.

Lt. Smith and firefighters Hudson and Lanning from the Salisbury Fire Department spoke to the children about safety in the event of a fire, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. They also took the kids out to the fire truck and allowed them to tour the truck.

The students received a free meal and had a chance to eat with the officers. Each child received uniform clothing, a bookbag with school supplies, a coupon for a free milkshake from Chick-fil-A, coupon for Rowan County Fair and a lunch item.(such as a lunch box, container or cup).

Each bookbag also contained a positive scripture, placed there for inspiration.

Sponsors of the event included Marc and Denise Bax of Bax and Bax Tax Service, Chick-fil-A, Office Depot, the Rev. Linda Dupree and Minister Linda Kyle.

Others who helped were members of the church’s Health and Wellness Fit, Faithful, & Active Ministry, led by Linda Beaty; and members of the Kitchen Committee, Rose Neely, Sandra Ramsey-Stinson, Pam Daniels, Deacon Dixie Dalton; Deacon Neal;  Dumont Stockton; the Rev. Sarah Leach, Minister Emily Rivers, Nicole Hill, Nisha Hyde and Deacon Jill Debose.

The school supplies and uniforms left over from the event were donated to One Church One Child.