West Plains R-7 School District’s Bridges Program is celebrating 10 years with an open house and chili dog dinner.
From 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, all are invited to Bridges, 602 E. Olden St., to enjoy chili dogs and hot dogs, cake, and free items. Students will have the opportunity to register for door prizes, and parents and community members are welcome, as well.
The free event is sponsored by Healthy Blue, a Missouri Healthnet Managed Care health plan.
The Bridges program’s ninth annual Back-to-School and Health Fair held in August was deemed a success despite pouring rain, with about 500 students, 35 sponsors and many volunteers participating, said organizers. Among the items received by students were T-shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, hygiene items and other school essentials.
The program, which operates with the mission to “bridge the gap between need and education,” thanks the event’s sponsors: Always a Future For kids, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boys & Girls Club, Buro Office Supply, Child Support Division, Community Partnership, DRS Technologies, Elk Creek Church, Endurance Church, Faith Chapel, Family Support Division, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, First Church of God, Genesis Church, Howell County Health Department, Little Debbie’s, Missouri Department of Social Services, Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center, Ozarks Summit, Penmac, Pomona Christian Church, Pregnancy Resource Center, Ruby Tuesday, Security Finance, Southern Bank, Southern Missouri Community Health Center, State Farm-Ramona Heiney, Sunrise Rotary, Union Grove Church, United Freewill Baptist, United Methodist Church, West Plains Bank, West Plains Family Dentistry and West Plains Optimist Club.
