For many families, school has just ended and their thoughts are on summer fun and vacation plans. For Sue Burge, she's already planning back to school in September.

“We have to start early,” Burge said. “We have to plan and make some noise now so it works out later.”

This is the fourth year of Set for Success, where students from Boothbay Region Elementary School, Edgecomb Eddy and Southport Central can come and get almost all their needed school supplies free of charge. This year Set for Success takes place on Sunday, August 16 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

In past years, Burge has done all of the work gathering donations and coordinating people on her own. This year, she has help from a number of people.

“It's gotten too big, I simply can't do it on my own anymore,” Burge said.

Volunteers include Becky and Kevin Alley, who have been collecting school supply lists from teachers. Kevin Alley has created a spreadsheet for Burge that shows every supply needed, the number on hand from last year, and the number needed. School supplies left over from last year were stored at the elementary school.

“I am very grateful to Eileen King for storing the extra supplies,” Burge said. “In previous years they were stored in my basement.”

Sue Norton is handling all the donation sites and creating posters for the event. The donation sites are located at the Bank of Maine in the Meadow Mall, The First bank on Oak Street, Coastal Maine Popcorn on Townsend Avenue, Shear Artistry Hair Salon, Eames Hair Studio, and Hawke Motors. Every week Norton will be gathering donations and updating the list of needed supplies.

Lori Grinnell, who works at St. Andrews Urgent Care Center, is coordinating the many volunteers involved with Set for Success. If you volunteered last year and have not been contacted, reach out to Sue Burge at vanmanbill@roadrunner.com.

Judy Dorr is coordinating an e-cycling promotion for the day of Set for Success where people can drop off old cell phones, inkjet/toner cartridges and iPads to be recycled. The money raised from this will go toward classroom teaching tools at BRES. Dorr is also designing the posters.

“Prints Charming has donated 150 printed posters for the event,” Burge said.

Other volunteers working with Burge include Jeannie Duncan of Newcastle, who is working with local churches in “Mission Outreach” day to encourage donation of school supplies, Nancy VanDyke of Edgecomb, who is coordinating all of the event booths, Hannaford, Linda Foster, the Lions Club, Lamey Wellehan shoes, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Region Community Resources, the Boothbay Sea and Science Center, and many others people and organizations.

“Big Al has been a huge part of this,” Burge said. “Donating massive amounts of school supplies for the children. And the Y, of course, gifting us the whole field house for the day along with the needed electricity for the hair salons. Andy Hamblett, Rose Mooney, and the whole staff. We couldn't pull this off without them.”

Burge is expecting at least 350 kids at this year's Set for Success. The greatest need continues to be hairdressers for the day. Any interested in volunteers should contact Burge or Annette at Shear Artistry, who is coordinating the stylists.

“The event runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m., but you don't need to stay for the whole thing,” Burge said. “Even just a half-hour would be a huge help.”

As in previous years, students will get their school supply list from their principal before heading over to the school supply tables. Those students that need a new backpack will be provided one, those that don't need one will be given a bag to hold everything. A volunteer will help each kid shop before they head over for a free haircut (if needed) and visits the booths for eye checkups, personal hygiene kits, and other resources.

A new booth will be a “Clothing Boutique,” which will provide winter clothing for students. Burge is currently seeking donations of coats, mittens, hats and scarves to stock the boutique.

“If you are a parent reorganizing your kid’s closet, or have good quality winter clothing your kids have grown out of, please consider donating,” Burge said.

DJ Calvin Crocker will return this year to provide music for the day.

Anyone interested in volunteers for the day or who has an idea for an event booth which will benefit education or elementary school kids should contact Burge at vanmanbill@roadrunner.com.

“This is about our kids and their teachers,” Burge said. “Getting them ready for the year, making sure every kid starts out on an even footing. It's our chance to show them that their community cares about them and wants them to do well and make something of themselves. I'm grateful beyond gratitude to everyone who has helped with this project.”