'Proud product of Henderson' hosting back-to-school giveaway
Aug. 11—HENDERSON — Rising junior at UNC Pembroke and Braves guard Javonte Waverly is holding the second annual School Supply Giveaway at Back to Eden this Sunday.
The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the former plantation turned event space at 451 Satterwhite Point Road.
Waverly did the same back in 2022, when he was a rising sophomore.
"Honestly, if you know Henderson, [it] is a low income place. Not many families have everything that the children need to go to school," said Waverly. "I just want to be that positive source, to give back and actually show them that there are people that want to see good in them."
In addition to free pencils, paper, notecards, crayons, book bags, refreshments will also be available. Waverly has received donations and support from UNCP and his family members, and contributed his own resources as well.
"Everybody will be able to get something," said Waverly.
There will be sessions for all grade levels, from kindergarten to college.
Born and raised in Henderson, living in the city is what made Waverly who he is today.
"It gave me the grit, the mindset I needed to have to succeed out here in this world," said Waverly. "I feel like I grew up faster than most kids at my age, so I developed more conscience and more sense towards the outside world."
That mindset? Business-oriented and focusing on avoiding mistakes before they happen.
Back to Eden's owner, Kenneth Spellman, is a "very positive figure," said Waverly. Spellman was released from prison in 2019 after serving a 19-year stint. Now, he's opened up an event space that seeks to serve the community.
"Coming back and doing something like that for Henderson is just inspirational," said Waverly.
Speaking of Spellman, there is some other news. He has been providing monetary support for two programs that help students in the Philippines, one that helps feed kids and another that gives those struggling to read more time and resources. Donations come out to around $100 a month split evenly between the two. Spellman said he may get the opportunity to call those students via Zoom, so they can put a face on their benefactor.
Sheile Salbo, a social studies teacher from the Philippines and a volunteer at Back to Eden, brought the programs to Spellman's attention. He was all too willing to help.
On a similar note, the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, in which a North Carolinian team from Winterville played a Filipino team from Bacolod City, Philippines, drew a group of school faculty from the archipelagic country. Some of those faculty members visited Back to Eden last week.
Salbo noted those teachers are "very, very much excited to impart whatever knowledge they got from Mr. Spellman" when they get back to the Philippines. That knowledge? Spellman's M.E.A.T Program, Ministry, Management, Entrepreneurship, Accountability and Training, that he developed while in prison.
More teachers will be visiting Back to Eden this weekend. Reportedly, Spellman will get to visit the Philippines in turn.
