by Rachel Hunter

The First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur hosted the North Country community at the Annual We’ve Got Your Back 2 School giveaway event on Sunday, August 15 at their location, 34 Grove St., Gouverneur.

Over 70 youths from local school districts received free school supplies to set them up for success in the 2021-2022 academic year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the annual event was organized by appointment times to elevate congestion. This will also allow organizers to ensure enough supplies were available. Students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade were welcome to participate, and receive school supplies to give them a hand up as they start the 2021-22 academic year.

Many contributions from community members and businesses along with volunteer support made this annual event possible.

This year, The First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur’s We’ve Got Your Back 2 School partnered with the St. Lawrence County Sheriffs’ Association to register local children with the state Safe Child ID Card program. The card contains the child’s name, biographical information (date of birth, gender, height, weight, hair color, eye color, etc) and a fingerprint image of both index fingers. The card can be easily carried in a wallet or pocketbook and allows law enforcement quick access to pertinent information that could assist an investigation and/or search in the event a child is missing. It takes less than two minutes to register.

Much gratitude was extended to all those who made this event a success.

For more information on First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur, visit the church Facebook page, or website gouverneurumc.org, or call (315) 287-2440.