Photo by Joselyn King Suffragan Bishop Darrell Cummings of the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in North Wheeling shows some of the bookbags and school supplies already collected for the church’s annual school supply distribution, which is set for Aug. 19.

WHEELING — Bethlehem Apostolic Temple has a slate of events planned over the next two weeks to get students prepared, healthy and enthused as they look to going back to school later this month.

New this year is that WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital will be conducting free health screenings at the church next week, according to Suffragan Bishop Darrell Cummings. Additionally, Bethlehem Apostolic Temple will be doing its annual distribution of school supplies, and hosting a back to school fair at the Wheeling Park Amphitheatre.

— Preparations kick off this Saturday as the church begins collecting school supplies for students during a “stuff the bus” event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the church parking lot, 330 Main St., North Wheeling.

Needed items include bookbags, notebooks, pencils and paper.

Dallas Cowboy C.J. Goodwin, a Wheeling native whose family attends Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, already has donated 200 bookbags, Cummings reported.

“We used to do the ‘stuff the bus’ in front of the stores, but during the COVID pandemic they asked us not to do it anymore,” he explained.

“We’ll take what we get, what has already been donated and what we already bought, and give it away the next Saturday (Aug. 19).”

— WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital has agreed to partner with the church for free health care screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19 in the church’s fellowship hall. The screenings will be conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to Cummings.

“This is the first time we’ve ever done this with Wheeling Hospital,” he explained. “We’re very humbled and honored that they will work with us, and perhaps this is the start of a relationship throughout the year.

“We believe it’s going to be great and we want people to come and take advantage of it, especially for their kids.”

Previously, the church partnered with the former Ohio Valley Medical Center to do community health screenings.

— The church then will conduct its annual back-to-school distribution of school supplies, clothes and other items beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 at the North Wheeling Dream Center, 407 Main St., North Wheeling.

Cummings said the distribution in the past has attracted as many 500 youths, but typically averages between 200 to 300 students. Those attending — both boys and girls — also will get the chance to get free haircuts from Charles Dunn of Hair Dunn Right and other participating stylists.

In addition to the school supplies, there also will be food items and clothing available to the youths.

Cummings noted there are a few bicycles and laptop computers available on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who need them.

“We’re hoping to send them (the students) out and back to school with a smile,” he said.

Among the food items available will be meats, turkeys, hams, canned goods, vegetables and fruits.

“There will be things that make for a good meal as they go back to school,” Cummings said. “We want it to be a blessing to the whole family.

“We know If kids don’t eat well, they don’t study well.”

He added that while there will be many athletic and dress shoes available and other types of clothing, the child has to be present to pick them out themselves. Youths do not have to attend for their parents to pick up other things for their children.

“We will help out those who couldn’t come after this is over,” Cummings said.

— There will be some fun and excitement sponsored by the church the following day to conclude the church’s back to school events.

On Sunday, Aug. 20, Bethlehem Apostolic’s “Back To School Festival” takes place from 5-7 p.m. at the Wheeling Park Amphitheatre. There will be music, inflatable rides and free food for youths who attend.

Cumming explained these events are important to young people as they “lift them up emotionally, intellectually and socially” and let them know the community cares about them as they return to school.

“This is not a hand out, but a hand up,” he said. “We want to let them know they are a part of a loving community that wants to see them succeed. If they fail, we all fail. If they succeed , we all succeed.

“We are trying to help one another, and when we do that, it makes our community stronger.”

Cummings added that often young adults come to him and tell him they benefited from the church’s annual distribution when they were children.

“They tell me, ‘This is the community that helped me when I was in need. They supplied my needs,'” he said. “The church is happy to be a part of that. It is a blessing.”