• St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital and partners to hold Back-to-School Bash

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     
    LAVONIA, Ga. – June 29, 2026 – St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, in partnership with Flat Shoals Baptist Church and Vituity Healthcare Solutions, will host a Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, July 19, from 2-6 p.m. at Flat Shoals Baptist Church, located at 2999 Bowersville Highway near Hartwell.

    This free, one-day event is designed to support families in Hart, Franklin and surrounding counties as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
     
    The Back-to-School Bash will provide free backpacks for students of all ages. Each backpack will include a water bottle along with additional school supplies such as pencils, pens, folders, notebooks, crayons, glue, and rulers. Organizers are working with local schools to align supplies with specific school lists so that students receive exactly what they need.
     
    In addition to school supplies, families attending the Back-to-School Bash also will have access to:

    • Free back-to-school sports physicals
    • Free food, including hot dogs, chips, and drinks
    • Free Pelican's SnoBalls snow cones for children
     
    “There are many children in our area whose families face financial challenges that can impact their child’s success in school,” said Regina Hooper, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital. “When the community comes together like this, we can help these children get off to a good start that will benefit them for their entire life.”
     
    Donations of key supplies from the community are needed and welcome, noted Kimberly Hemphill, St. Mary’s Regional Director of Community Health and Well-being. Especially needed are supplies such as pencils, notebooks, crayons and other school-related items. Donations can be dropped off at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, 367 Clear Creek Parkway, Lavonia.
     
    “Providing free school supplies, preventive health services, and basic necessities at the Back-to-School Bash aligns with St. Mary’s Mission to serve together in the spirit of the Gospel to be a transforming healing presence in our community,” Hemphill said. “Reducing some of the barriers families face helps ensure students are better prepared to succeed academically while supporting the overall health of the community.”
     
    For more information, please contact Hooper at ahooper@stmaryssacredheart.org or Hemphill at kimberly.hemphill@stmarysathens.org.

    St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital and ...

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