Kickoff to Success:
Backpack Giveaway and Resource Fair
July 11, 2026
Kickoff to Success is a community-wide event designed to help students start the school year prepared, encouraged, and equipped for success. This year, the DeSoto County Dream Center is proud to partner with Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe and the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation to host our biggest back-to-school outreach yet.
On July 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Latimer Lakes Park, underserved families from across DeSoto County will receive backpacks, school supplies, and a devotional while enjoying a morning filled with fun activities, community resources, and family-friendly entertainment.
Families can look forward to free hot dogs and snow cones, bounce houses, community resource vendors, giveaways, entertainment, and opportunities to connect with organizations that are invested in their success. Through our partnership with Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe and the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation, we will provide 2,000 backpacks to students in need, helping them begin the school year with confidence and the tools they need to thrive.
We need 250 volunteers to serve alongside us from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
If your business is interested in sponsoring or participating in this event, or if you would like additional information,
please email info@desotodreamcenter.org or call 662-510-5900.
Volunteer
We would love to have you serve alongside us as we meet the needs of DeSoto County, Title 1 school students.
It will be an amazing day of family fun!
We need 250 volunteers to help neighbors “shop,” serve lunch and handout sno cones, and kick off the school year with bounce houses, games, music, and giveaways for the whole family! Sign up yourself, your group or business to and help our community to Dream Again! Email us regarding any serve groups at: volunteer@desotodreamcenter.org
Donate or Partner
Donate to the Dream Center and help us celebrate DeSoto County Title 1 students and their families as we kick off the school year right! Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe and Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation are partnering with us to make this event even more special and impactful.
If your business is interested in partnering in this family-fun event, please contact us! We are seeking food contributions and sponsors to help us host a back-to-school bash. Email us at partner@desotodreamcenter.org
Families in need
We would love to support your family this school season by providing any DeSoto County student in need of a backpack and school supplies with these resources. Join us as we celebrate the upcoming school year with a fun-filled day for the whole family at Latimer Lakes Park from 9 am - 12:00 pm.
Each student must be present
One backpack per student
DeSoto County students must be in grades K-12