Need some help with getting school supplies for the upcoming year? If you do, you need to attend the 9th annual Back-to-School, Stay-in-School program on Saturday.

The Scotland County NAACP will host the event for all children to receive school supplies at 10 a.m. at I.E. Johnson Primary School on McGirts Bridge Road.

The local chapter will have supplies up to 600 children in the Scotland County community at the event, Rep. Garland Pierce said.

"The event is open to all children in the community," said. "We are looking forward to Saturday's event, and hope that this program will help the community just a little bit."

On Thursday, seven volleyball players from St. Andrews Presbyterian College as well as Doretha Swann, Russell Morrison (14) and Otis James helped load supplies into bags for the event on Saturday. The seven volleyball players were Leah Davison, Heather Bolwerk, Jaime Hayes, Galina Podolsky, Tyler Lee, Erica Davis, and Chelsea Taylor.

The supplies that will be provided are book bags, a folder, composition book, two pencils and crayons for the young children, Pierce said.

For the older crowd, Piece said there will be bags of supplies with information about tobacco products and the dangers of tobacco usage.

Pierce asks that children be present to accept the supplies.

The event will host guest speaker Chancellor James A. Anderson of Fayetteville State University as well as many other activities.

Superintendent of Scotland County School System, Rick Stout will be on hand to speak to the community about what is going on in the school system.

"We are looking forward on working with Rick and to see what he has in store our school system," Pierce said. "All in all, we are looking forward to a great school year."

There will be horseback riding and other activities for the children to participate in, as well as all types of foods and refreshments, according to Pierce.