Three hundred and twenty-five students, along with their parents and siblings, came to the third annual Set for Success in the YMCA field house on August 17. Students were from Boothbay Region Elementary School, Edgecomb Eddy and Southport Central.

According to event organizer Sue Burge, right when they opened the line stretched from the field house doors to the main entrance of the Y.

“A rough estimate of 1,000 people, including all the volunteers and event booth folks. Numbers up from the past two years,” Burge said.

Students were met at the front table by the principals of the three schools, where they got the list of supplies needed for that year, all of which were available. Several local hairstylists set up shop for free back-to-school haircuts, the Rotary Club was handing out free hygiene bags filled with shampoo and soap, and the Lions Club was doing free vision screenings — just to name a few tables.

“We got all the school gear needed,” local parent Jen Hyson said, with three kids in tow. “This is an amazing program and it's so nice to not have to worry about school supply shopping. So much generosity in this community, and so many resources are here. It's an amazing blessing.”

“We got both kids completely ready for school,” said local parent Kacy Brown. “Big Al was here; he's awesome donating so much.”

“It's a really helpful program, and a fantastic help to the community,” her husband Scott Brown said.

“It's so much to give,” local parent Katie Harrington said. “It's hard to believe they can do all this for free.”

Burge said the event has grown over the three years. “It puts joy in your heart, and that's how this happens. Spreading the joy gets people excited.”

Set for Success sponsored by Boothbay Region Community Resources, and is free for every student.

“The schools have promised me the moon next year with a school bus if I need to haul tons of supplies from Big Al's warehouse,” Burge said.