Counting down the days … to Sunday, Aug. 18. Starting at 1 p.m. that day, the YMCA Field House doors will open to welcome all Boothbay Region Elementary School students accompanied by a parent or guardian. First stop is the Welcome Table for registration. A school supply shopping list will be given to students and off they’ll go to choose a new backpack and all the supplies requested by each student’s classroom teacher.

The School Supply Shopping Center will be stationed at center court. Students will find everything from backpacks to 5,000 pencils, and hundreds of two-pocket homework folders, 1,000 wooden rulers: all gifts from Big Al's; and they will find scotch tape, rolling glue sticks, highlighters and ballpoint pens, compliments of suppliers of Office Depot.

It goes without saying, be careful what you wish for because this community has outdone itself with donations of money and school supplies for our elementary children, and a building to hold such an event for our elementary children.

Circling the tennis court, the next stop might be at the Hair Salon for a free back-to-school haircut from volunteer hairdressers. Manicurists will be waiting to polish nails and local teens are offering hair braiding designs.

There will be a van load of shoe boxes with children’s shoes compliments of Lamey Wellehan. Dresses for Princesses boutique will include clothing designs and shoes for moms who may be returning to the workplace or for a special occasion. There will be men’s items, too. It’s all free!

Take a short break from all the excitement at the Hannaford Food Court serving up a healthy school lunchbox menu: sandwiches, Frito Lay products, fresh fruits, yogurt cups, bottled water and so much more.

Yes … it’s all free and you’ll find a second booth by Hannaford with Guiding Star info and more handouts. Kids will love the big bounce house compliments of Compass Rose and our resident DJ, Calvin Crocker, will be spinning age appropriate music for everyone’s enjoyment.

The Harold Alfond College Scholarship folks will be offering two educational scholarship grant opportunities. For any registered Maine resident with an infant under a year old, by signing up your baby, you will walk away with a $500 scholarship, free.

For every other student, there is the NextGen $200 matching grant scholarship for a mere cost of $25. Deposits into either account over time will help further prepare a student for higher education.

Many students will easily recognize their school protector, Boothbay Harbor Police Officer Larry Brown, who is coming to remind the children of his interest in education and safety. Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford, with his gentle smile, will be welcoming everyone, along with our EMTs.

Summer resident and publisher Charles Baker, and editor wife Rosalie will have remarkable children’s history magazines for free.

Boothbay Region Food Pantry volunteers will have important information to tell you about the new community gardens in Boothbay. Dr. Michelle Bouchard will be offering information on healthy eyes while Dr. Toby Clarkson’s staff promotes good oral health.

The sponsors of this amazing event, Boothbay Region Community Resources, would like to invite you to stop at their display table. This volunteer group with representatives from the local churches, Food Pantry, town offices, schools and business community are there for everyone; networking and meeting together monthly to help define the needs in this community and how best to come along beside our neighbors in need to be that beacon of hope.

The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Hope to see you there.