With the first school bell of fall still a good month away, Boothbay-area children may still be thinking sun, sundaes and sleeping in. But Sue Burge and the many people the Boothbay woman has rallied to help her have been thinking a lot about the new school year. They're doing all they can to make sure all students at three area elementary schools start the new year with new backpacks and all the supplies they'll need for class.

Students up to and including eighth grade at Boothbay Region Elementary School, Edgecomb Eddy School and Southport Central School are invited to the “Set for Success” back-to-school event at the Boothbay Region YMCA, Sunday, August 19, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The fact the donated items are for all students, regardless of a family's income, is one of the project's most important aspects, Burge said. Many back-to-school donation efforts around the country are needs-based, but that doesn't do as much to send the message she wants schoolchildren to receive along with the items, she said.

“We want the children to know this community is interested in their education...and cares about their education, period,” the retired, corporate  administrative assistant said.

At the upcoming event where students can get the supplies, area salons are donating their time and tools to offer free hair cuts. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard, along with the Boothbay Region Food Pantry and other community service organizations, will be handing out information. Hannaford is donating healthy snacks to the event, Burge said.

She had been wanting to organize a back-to-school project ever since she read about one in another state.

Burge credited local banks, churches and other organizations with helping collect donations, and the Y with helping promote the event and letting it be held in the Y gym. “We're depending on the community, and the community has been more than responsive,” she said.

About 400 backpacks, enough for every student at the three schools to have one, will be available at the event, Burge said. The Y, the Boothbay Region Garden Club, the Boothbay Region Land Trust, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Hammond Lumber are buying the backpacks.

Any families who cannot make it to the August 19 event can contact their school and then Burge will arrange to drop off the items there for the student, Burge said.

Boothbay Region Community Resources is sponsoring the event, in partnership with the Y.

Boothbay Region Community Resources' secretary, Bonnie McKenney, has enjoyed working on the project. “This is all about making sure every child has what they need for a good start,” the Southport resident said. “It should be a very joyous day.”

Burge isn't sure yet what the project's future will be after this year, but she hopes to run it again next year and, if possible, expand it to the high school grades.

Checks toward this year's project should be made out to Boothbay Region Community Resources, with “Back to School” on the memo line, and mailed to the non-profit organization at P.O. Box 468, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.