LAUNCH

Launch is a program designed to improve the lives of kids in Muhlenberg County physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.  Whether it is a new haircut, a backpack, or a new outfit for the first day of school, we want the students within our community to know that we care for them and that we are here to support them.  Even more so, we pray that the families involved are encouraged and loved.  If you are reading this, it's because you, too, have a student, family, or community in mind that you want to see supported and cared for.  We hope and pray Launch will do just that.

...to reach as many families as possible while showing them the love of Christ through our actions.

Launch is an annual program that Second Baptist Church has implemented to help with the growing need of back-to-school clothing for children in our community.  Our program goal is to reach as many families in need as possible while showing them the love of Christ through our actions.

...share the love of Christ by meeting their needs.

With the help of Muhlenberg County Public Schools, Launch Back-to-School Event is an invitation only event.  To better love and encourage these families, we pair them up with a Second Baptist Host Family for the day.  This gives our Second Baptist families a chance to interact and share the love of Christ with our Launch families. 

"Launch has become one of our favorite and most exciting times of the year!"

During Launch, we offer free haircuts to each student, free lunches for the entire family, and a day filled with educational activities, door prizes, and fun.  At the end of the day we all meet at Wal-Mart to help the students shop for school clothing.  The shopping trip is funded by donations from Second Baptist members and community members and has become one of our favorite and most exciting times of the year.

Here's how it works:

Each year, we communicate with all the Family Resource Coordinators to organize recruiting district-wide.  We set target numbers, share our goal and purpose, and ask our Coordinators for help in recruiting families.  For example, we allow each of our 5 elementary schools to recruit up to 20 children, giving our church up to 100 applicants.  Our Launch Team then coordinates fundraising, classes offered, and recruits volunteers to serve as Hosts.  On Launch Day, we host families at our church to offer classes on saving, cooking, giving, safety, and we share Jesus!  Families can eat both breakfast and lunch.  Then we accompany each family to Walmart where they can choose school-approved clothing, socks and underwear to take home!  All is done in an exciting fun-filled environment.  We follow up with those who request prayer or get more involved in our church.