The first day of school is quickly approaching. To help area children the fourth annual Give a Child a Chance Day will be held at the Bledsoe County fairgrounds on Monday, July 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“This is a day that helps children get ready for school at completely no cost to them or their families,” said Bledsoe County Youth Services Officer Rhonda Sills, whom coordinates the event.

Sills explains the event is usually held in October, but in an effort to make it more of a back-to-school event, the date was moved to July.

The Bledsoe County Com-munity Advisory Board and the Bledsoe County Health Council have partnered with many other organizations to make this day possible.

The Avalon Center, Women’s Care Center, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, the Bledsoe County Juvenile Court Judge Howard Upchurch, the Tennessee National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, First National Bank, and Citizen’s Tri-County Bank are just a few organizations who help to sponsor this event.

Local agencies and vendors will have booths set up with multiple activities and events. Some of the agencies include Volunteer Health Systems giving out free stuffed backpacks, and Pikeville City Police Chief Ronald Byrd giving a tour of a patrol car.

The Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department, with Sheriff Jimmy Morris, will be finger printing the children, conducting a child safety seat checkpoint, and instructing parents on how to properly install safety belts.

The Tennessee Department of Forestry, TWRA and many other organizations will have booths, too.

Sills said funding comes from local organizations, the Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative Cares Program, and for the first time, $1,000 came from the Peyton Manning Grant.

Sills was excited about the Peyton Manning Grant, “This shows that the need is being seen.”

Sills stated the event has grown since the first year, with 350-400 children the first year and well over 500 at last year’s event.

“With this event expanding, it shows me there is a real need to help the children, and with tough economic times, the need is bigger,” said Sills.

Sills is also the assistant director of the Bledsoe County Children’s Attitude Motivation Program and she stated this is the first year the cadets will help with the cleanup, set-up and organization of the event as part of their community service.

To make donations, or to set up a table at the Give a Child a Chance Day, contact Sills at (423) 280-1803 or Jack Roberson at (423) 762-2809.