1000 x 90

Inaugural Life Care Center of Banner Elk Back to School Fling a Massive Success, Close to 200 Children Served

by Madison V. Fisler

Aug. 12, 2013. On Aug. 10, The Life Care Center of Banner Elk held the inaugural Back to School Fling. This event allowed almost 200 K-8 students in Avery County to come out and collect necessary school supplies free of charge.

The school supplies that were given out at the fling were generously donated by many local area individuals and businesses.

“We gave out almost 200 tote bags full of supplies,” said Star Gardner of Life Care Center of Banner Elk. 

But the Fling offered much more than school supplies to Avery County children.

imgres-222Local basketball superstar Tommy Burleson came out to shoot hoops with the kids, GENESIS Wildlife held an educational animal exhibit and the Banner Elk Fire Department came out with their fire truck to help hand out school supplies to eager kids. YMCA came out to do an activity, Lowes Hardware conducted a “build and grow” activity and there was even a bouncy-house for the children to enjoy, according to Gardner. 

In addition, the Fling also had a silent auction featuring many exciting lots like tickets to Tweetsie Railroad, free rentals from Alpine Ski Center and much more. The silent auction raised over $200 for the cause, which will be donated to Avery County Schools. 

“We had some really great donations from a lot of people,” said Radd Nesbit of the Life Care Center of Banner Elk. 

“I was very pleased with it. It went off without a hitch, and even though we had a few minutes of rain it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.”

The Back to School Fling will be held once again next year to get school supplies to children in need. Though next year’s event does not yet have a set date, plans are already well underway.