Community Resource Council (CRC)’s annual Set for Success event returned for its second year in its new location, Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The gymnasium was again filled with vendors representing local clubs, parent organizations, church groups, volunteer opportunities and many more. Free backpacks were also handed out to Pre-K (who also got lunchboxes), second, fourth and seventh graders, and newcomers. 

The room was abuzz as families collected information and back-to-school swag. For each vendor visited, students received a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes provided by LincolnHealth. Everything from pencil cases to bicycles was up for grabs. 

School supplies (not including the backpacks) were again delivered directly to teachers. Earlier in the evening, students and families could attend an open house to walk around, visit their classrooms and meet teachers. 

Meanwhile, outside, the air was filled with plumes of grill-smoke as BRES Principal Shawna Kurr and new assistant principal Kim Dionne turned out free burgers and hot dogs to community members. 

“It was a great event before. It’s even better now. The new way streamlines a lot of the activity,” said Holly Stover, CRC director of operations. She estimated the event had reached over 150 attendees by the halfway mark. 

A new feature this year was the free clothing – a mixture of lost and found items, and donations – that filled the hallway next to the gym. Karen Kusnierz, a BRES custodian who’d previously worked at the high school, said she was inspired after seeing the amount of clothing the school had amassed over the years.

“When I was growing up there was nothing like this (event). If you didn’t have the money for anything you were on your own, you had to figure it out,” she said. Kusnierz decided providing clothing would be another great way to give back to the community. It took about 10 hours to wash and organize everything. While most of the clothing had already been taken, some will remain at BRES for any student’s clothing-related emergencies. The rest will be donated.

“This event, to me, really represents the heart and soul of our community, and that’s what means the most,” said Stover.