14th Annual “back To School Festival” Helps Detroit Youngsters Get “ready” For School

Aug. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- (Detroit) –– The crowds get bigger every year.   Parents and kids come out in huge numbers to “celebrate” the start of school at Greater Grace’s Back To School Festival.  This year’s 14th Annual festival will be unforgettable for many Detroit youngsters with free school supplies while they last, plus “free haircuts and hairstyling coupons,” free refreshments, immunizations and the giving away of 2-brand new scooters!   It happens Tuesday, Aug. 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile in Detroit.

It all started fourteen (14) years ago when Greater Grace Pastor, Bishop Charles H. Ellis III learned of public school teachers having to “buy school supplies with their own money” because many struggling families couldn’t afford even basic items.  Since then the church and the business community have worked together on the festival and have provided over 10,000 youngsters with free supplies.  

This year’s festival will include the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Fun & Fitness Attraction and giveaways from Clear Channel Radio.  Other sponsors include Hitachi Automotive, Happy’s Pizza, Comerica Bank and the Wayne County Executive Office.
   
“ We’re not only providing them with supplies, but also with motivation and the understanding that school is so important.  It’s a day of fun and excitement about the start of school,” says Bishop Ellis.
   
Other activities include free dental screenings, the free video game bus, inflatables, entertainment, and much more.  The Master’s Commission, Inc. of Greater Grace Temple sponsors the festival.  It’s FREE…and is aimed at youngsters 5 to 12 years of age.  
     
The Master’s Commission is a non-profit affiliate of Greater Grace Temple.  For more information call 313-543-6000 or visit www.greatergrace.org

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Greater Grace Temple is one of the largest churches located inside the Detroit city limits. The church was founded in 1927 with only three members. Today there are over 6,000.

The church has long been a spiritual pillar of the city, as well as an influential part of the civic community with continued efforts and outreaches to make Detroit a better place. Its new 35-million dollar facility anchors the site known as “The City of David,” a 19-acre campus in NW Detroit. Ellis Manor, an 89-unit apartment complex for seniors built by the church, also sits on the site. In 2007, the church purchased the historic 18-hole New Rogell Golf Course which was featured in Golfweek and Golf World magazines.

Greater Grace Temple has served as host to many pivotal community events, including the funeral Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

The pastor is Bishop Charles H. Ellis III who is also the new Presiding Bishop of the 1.3 million member Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.