Thank you, community, for all your amazing support for the fourth annual Set for Success back-to-school event on Aug. 16 at the Boothbay Region YMCA.

Hundreds of students and families walked through the doors of the Y Field House to be welcomed by School Superintendent Eileen King, principals Mark Tess and Lisa Clark along with school educators, Eileen Higgins, Jane Williams Judy Dorr and Sandy Wheeler, along with six of our local Coast Guard, “Coasties,” offering coordination of lines at the front doors and beyond.

A special thank you to our community of churches donating money gifts and school supplies during a dedicated Back To School Mission Outreach Sunday in July: First Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, United Methodist Churches of Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay and Southport, All Saints By The Sea, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Christian Science Society and Boothbay Baptist Church.

Thank you to major donors: Big Al’s Super Value store, Newagen Seaside Inn, Hammond Lumber, Ed Hamilton Yachts, Boothbay Civic Association, Boothbay Region Garden Club, Boothbay Harbor Rotary and Boothbay Harbor Hannaford. To every person who gave money and left school supplies at our six donation sites, thank you. To the Boothbay Region YMCA, Andy Hamblett, Rose Mooney and staff for the place, the space and incredible support .

To each participating business, nonprofit, and church sharing information and handouts at event booths — you outdid yourselves. Thank you Annette Nager, owner of Shear Aristry Family Hair Salon, for another remarkable hair salon offering free back to school haircuts with stylists Anne Eames, owner Eames Hair Salon, Betsy Pitcher from Bonnie’s Cut Above, Jane Good, owner, Hair It Is; and stylist, Dawn Gilbert; Nail Art by Judy Colgan and Kayce McDaniels; Salon Floral Design by Liz Albert, Once Upon A Beach and Boothbay Harbor Rotary with hundreds of personal hygiene gift bags.

Families strolled along Information Highway meeting folks from: FAME, Next Gen Educational Grants; Sue Wilson, President, Boothbay Region Community Resources; Lincoln Health’s Wellness/Rehab Center with Finn the Therapy Dog; Coulombe Center for Wellness; The Family Care Center; Lincoln County Dental; Hannaford Food Court; The Lions Club; Boothbay Sea and Science Center; Healthy Kids of Damariscotta; the Boothbay Region Food Pantry; BRCRC’s Food For Thought Program; Boothbay Region YMCA; Girl Scouts of America; Kamen family; Children’s Free Clothing Boutique; Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor; Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens; BRES PTO; Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library; Boothbay Region Garden Club; Mary Neal, Boothbay Walks; and Judy Dorr with her science kids. DJ Calvin Crocker kept the sound system and music in good listening order while BBH Police Officer Larry Brown, Boothbay Fire Chief, Dick Spofford and EMT’s shared school supplies and added great support to the event. Compass Rose Events provided another terrific Bounce House that remained very busy.

Raffle gifts were donated from Sea Glass Spa, Boothbay Railway Village, Conley’s Garden Center and Landscaping, Hannaford, Hawke Motors, On Board Fabrics, Sarah’s Scoops, Carol May, Eames Hair Salon, Coastal Maine Popcorn Co., Dolphin Mini Golf, Ice Cream Hut, and Next Gen Educational Grants. Thank you all for your generosity to our families.

A special thanks to all the volunteers from across our peninsula who came to help set up on Saturday and many others who worked on event day in the three school supply centers and backpack center and to those who dutifully kept watch over the Bounce House. Another team of folks arrived at the end to help pack up this major event. To BRES custodian, Ron Abbott, who came with a truck to move remaining supplies to storage at school with Judy Dorr’s help, what a gift! You all are very special people and we salute you all.

Thank you to Rep. Stephanie Hawke, who rolled up her sleeves to help with set-up Saturday and was greeter and event tour guide to our special guests, Gov. Paul LePage and first lady Ann LePage.

We welcomed approximately 300 students with parents on Sunday afternoon. Children not able to attend the event are encouraged to call their school office to have supplies set aside for them.

When the school bells chime on Sept. 1, upwards of 400 students throughout our three public schools will arrive equipped and ready to learn. It is you, the community, who allows the Boothbay Region Community Resources program, Set for Success, to continue annually. Mark the date, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, for year number 5!

Thank you everyone for the ongoing support to our children in preparation for their education. The overall goal of Set for Success is to encourage children while they are young, to instill in them the importance of education and equip them to be Set for Success!