The first ever Saving OurSelves Back to School drive will be bittersweet for the community.
Many Indianola students will receive free backpacks, uniforms and school supplies, but it will all be done without one of the event’s founders, Davion “Dee” McClain, who passed away in late April.
McClain’s vision, however, will be carried out through this event designed to empower the black community through unification.
Prior to his passing, McClain began the planning of Saving OurSelves’ Back to School Drive.
The event will be held at the Scout Hut from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. this Saturday.
Aside from the donated school supplies, attendees will hear motivational words from Marcus Turner, Ayuana Lynn, Antwuan Curtis and Kyle Pernell.
These opportunities are available for K-12 students. Food and games will also be a part of the event.
The drive was just the tip of the iceberg for the military pilot when it came to ways he wanted to give back to his community.
“He had so much planned for Indianola” said Erica Boyd, friend and co-founder of Saving OurSelves.
Boyd grew up and attended school with McClain.
He also had aspirations of a summer feeding program and recreational program for the local youth.
“We were going to join forces, that’s what this whole summer was going to be about” said D’Juan Hawkins, founder of Emancipating Minds.
Hawkins and McClain had plans of finding a solution for flooding that occurs at Gentry High School.
McClain created a petition online about the flooding that received over 1,000 signatures.
“Students shouldn’t be forced to deal with this situation, and be expected to be readily available for learning” wrote McClain.
McClain was raised in Indianola and attended Gentry High School. He acheived success as a military pilot, and he saw the importance of helping those in need.
“He was going to reach back down and pull everybody up with him,” said Boyd. “He was just that type of person. Heart so pure, so selfless, so giving. Always looking out for other people.”
McClain’s legacy will continue through Saving OurSelves.
“Throughout the school year we are going to do giveaways, definitely next summer we are looking into getting the SOS recreational program and summer feeding program kicked off and a lot of other things that he had planned,” said Boyd.
Donations for the Back to School drive are still accepted.
