Cheboygan Compassionate Ministries host giveaway event

 As it has done for the past seven years, Cheboygan Compassionate Ministries, CCM, is stepping up again this year with its 8th annual Back-to-School Giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 16. The event, which has grown by leaps and bounds since it started, will be noon-2 p.m. at The Lord's Kitchen, 221 N. Bailey, in Cheboygan. Pastor Wynn Schott of the Cheboygan Church of the Nazarene said in its first year CCM gave away about 50 backpacks full of supplies to Cheboygan-area students of all ages. Last year about 425 were given away, which is about what is anticipated for Saturday's event. The backpacks this year were loaded by students from the Straits Area Youth Promotion Academy with age-appropriate supplies for elementary, middle school and high school students. The supplies are purchased with CCM grant funds and donations. In addition to the backpacks, CCM will provide lunch offering pizza and sloppy joes for free along with games, a bounce house, face painting and musical entertainment for children and families. But that is not all, CCM will have a person on site to provide free haircuts to any students who are interested. "At 2 p.m. we will have prize giveaways," said Schott. Some of the items include sweatshirts, shoes, a set of twin sheets and calculators. "Most of the events are outside under a tent," said Schott. "Hopefully the weather will be okay. If it rains, we'll move the haircuts inside."