ABC News Today

Aug. 14 – MARIETTA – The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office hosted a back-to-school party and giveaway at the Cobb County Safety Village on Saturday.

The parking lot was packed with educators and families from across the county as Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens and his team provided a wide range of school supplies to those in attendance. Music played throughout the afternoon courtesy of Greg Street and V103, with Williamson Brothers Bar-BQ providing food while officers handed out items such as backpacks, pens, folders and room decor.

“It helps,” said educator Ty Harris of Austell. “We’re trying to get back to a sense of normalcy, so it definitely helps families with the budget.”

Harris teaches fourth grade with the Cobb County School District. She said she is excited to give back to her students.

The back-to-school party is the first the sheriff’s office has hosted, with all supplies delivered Saturday donated by members of the community and outside the community at no cost to county government, according to the Sheriff Owens. The idea of ​​including teachers in the draws, as well as students, was the focus of the original plan, ensuring that everyone had enough supplies to start the school year.

“We wanted to give something back, as an agency, to the community we serve,” Owens said. “We know the last few years have been difficult with COVID and many people are still struggling.”

Owens and the rest of his team were able to attend nearly 600 participants in the event Saturday, according to Chief Deputy Rhonda Anderson.

Candice Harvey of Cobb County brought her fourth-grader and preschooler to the back-to-school party and said she found the opportunity to interact with other families just as important as the gifts.

“I think it’s sincere,” Harvey said. “It’s important to meet new people and build new relationships.”

Event sponsors include A and A All County Monitoring, A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, ASAP Bail Bonds, Monticello Live Entertainment Restaurant, DJ Greg Street and A 2nd Chance Monitoring.