For the 10th straight year, Camp Coach Rhodes is hosting a back-to school celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This year's event will look a little different than the ones in the past, but organizers are glad they can still provide encouragement to kids as they head back to the classroom

"We already had this event scheduled for August 22nd when the changes were made to the school calendar," says founder and organizer Keith Rhodes. "So we decided that even though the kids will actually already be back in school by this date, we would go ahead since we already had things scheduled." Masks will be required at the event.

Another change to this year's event is the location.

"Since we have to maintain social distancing, we have moved the celebration to Changers Church, which has a large football field that we can use to spread people out more," says Rhodes. Changers Church is located at 341 Hudson Street in Shelby.

"But although some things have changed, others remain the same," says Rhodes. "Free haircuts, school supplies, fingernail polishing and horseback riding will all be offered. We will also have a number of guest speakers, including Olympic medalist Manteo Mitchell, radio personality 'Church Boy,' song writer/producer Meechie Allen and others."

Rhodes is grateful that the celebration is able to go on despite the cancellation of its primary fundraiser, Camp Coach Rhodes' basketball camp. This year's camp had to be canceled due to COVID-19. Numerous sponsors contributed to help ensure that the back-toschool event could still take place.

"We do this to assist children and families," says Rhodes. "We hope we are helping students have confidence about going back to school. This will provide them with needed school supplies along with hair cuts, hair styles and voices of encouragement and support."

Anyone wishing to contribute to or volunteer for the back-to-school celebration is asked to contact Rhodes by calling 704-576-7321.