By Andie Foley
For the Salisbury Post

ROCKWELL – The Rockwell AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary hosted a “Back to School Bash” on Saturday at Rockwell Park. Festivities lasted from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and included costume contests, music, refreshments, vendors and free fun for local students.

Students were also treated to school supplies and personal care items for the 2017-2018 academic year. Bags containing loose leaf paper, notebooks, pencils, erasers and lip balm were available, free of charge.

By 1:30, Rita Hand, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, reported that over half of these bags had been given away.

“This (event) is about giving back to the community,” said Hand. “I worked really hard so that the kids could play for free in the bounce houses today …. We had numerous sponsors; we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Sponsors of the event included F&M Bank, the Town of Rockwell and many more, enabling the Ladies Auxiliary to bring a bounce house, inflatable slide, Zorb ball and live musical entertainment to the event.

DJ Eddie Harwood started the live entertainment at 1 p.m., with Red Line Band following at 4 p.m.

Festivities were paused for an opening prayer, the national anthem, and Pledge of Allegiance as Harwood began his set.

The Rev. Catherine Costello, pastor of Ursinus United Church in Rockwell, led the prayer, focusing on protection and success for learners in attendance.

“Bless our children as they start a new year,” said Rev. Costello. “Help them to be able to sit still and listen long enough to learn. Help them to be busy and active in their learning and loving towards each other. Lord keep them safe; it’s a hard world that we live in out there. We really, truly need the blessing of Your safety.”

The opening ceremony was followed by the “Best Disney Princess” and “Best Super Hero” contests. Paisley Tidwell won the judges over with her interpretation of Cinderella, and Abel Hensley with his casual take on Captain America.

The Ladies Auxiliary is involved in several charitable and enriching endeavors throughout the area. Apart from supporting local veterans in times of crisis or need, the group leads monthly bingo games at the VA hospital, holds food drives, and collects resources for other nonprofits.

“Any time we have a veteran in need, we try to accommodate them,” Hand said. “Even when we can’t, we try to find them somebody who can. We just really work with veterans and our community.”