Back to School Jamboree Held by COG
Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments
2525 Corporate Way, Suite 200
Sumter SC 29154
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Brandy Del Rio (803-774-1996)
Back to School Jamboree Held by COG
COG partners with Businesses to gift local students supplies and inform the public on COVID vaccines while providing an opportunity to receive a vaccine
SUMTER, SC –
Preparation for going back to school can be a lot for some students and parents. To make it fun for them and the community and for the chance to inform the public about the COVID virus and the vaccines, The Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments (COG) partnered with 5 Below and Walmart, Prisma Health Tuomey, DHEC, Arby's, and Pilgrim’s Pride to hold a large back to school Jamboree.
It was a community event for all parents and students in the 4-county region of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter Counties. The COG provided students with school supplies and backpacks. The event featured keynote speakers Dr. Linda Bell, Chief Epidemiologist for DHEC answering questions about the vaccines and Vince Ford, Senior Vice President from Prisma Health. Mr. David P. Merchant, the Mayor of Sumter provided the welcome all guests. Dr. Bell entertained questions from the community and dispelled widely held inaccuracies concerning the vaccines. Mr. Ford provided inspirational words to encourage the attendees to get vaccinated. And Pilgrim’s Pride incentivized vaccinations by providing an opportunity to win a year’s supply of meat. Prisma Health gladly received patience at their tent.
When asked about the event, COG staff member Kourtney Page said, “The ultimate goal was to equip our youth and parents with the information they might need and give them an opportunity to voice their concerns on how to maintain their children's safety in and outside the classroom for the upcoming school year.” Overall the event was a success and the COG looks forward to finds additional ways to serve our communities.
About Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments
Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments is a premier organization committed to equipping our communities to achieve their full potential. Our mission is to collaborate purposely to enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities to advance our. Santee-Lynches serves the counties and cities of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter. To learn more, visit santeelynchescog.org.
Santee-Lynches COG is a member of the South Carolina Councils of Government (SC COGs). The SC COGs are a network of the 10 regional councils of governments working to positively affect quality of life and economic development in South Carolina. SC COGs serve as an extension of local and county governments to provide technical assistance, secure state and federal dollars to address critical issues, and advocate at a state and national level for economic and quality of life improvements for South Carolina. To learn more, visit sccogs.org or visit santeelynchescog.org.