With the new school year right around the corner, a local foundation is rallying the community together to provide free backpacks to students across Pearl River County.

On July 25, the PamAngels Foundation in Poplarville is holding a back-to-school backpack giveaway at the Raine Street Community Center from noon to 4 p.m. During the event, there will also be free face painting, food, music and a chance to win various prizes, including gift cards.

The foundation was established by husband-and-wife Leroy and Pamela Frederick. The non-profit organization aims to empower today’s youth. Pamela said their motto is “positive attitude equals positive results.”

“We started the foundation because we want to give back to the kids and be something positive in the community and let them know they can be positive,” Pamela said.

Leroy, the offensive coordinator at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., works alongside his wife, a nurse at Stone County Hospital and Poplarville native, to help provide guidance to children in the community.

“A lot of kids in Poplarville graduate high school and that’s it, they don’t go off to school or go to service, they stay here and often get into trouble,” Leroy said. “We’re just trying to tell them if they want to do great things, stay positive.”

The foundation is also hosting a football camp today from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pearl River Community College. Leroy will use his coaching skills to teach children how to play football.

Leroy said none of their events would be possible without the community’s support. Several local businesses and organizations have contributed their goods and services towards the foundation’s events.

“It’s been a true blessing to be able to give back to the community and the response from the people that are giving back to these events has been tremendous,” Leroy said.

The duo hopes to host more events in the future as their foundation grows. Pamela said she’s planning to host a manners and etiquette workshop for boys and girls in the near future.

For more information about the foundation, contact the foundation at 850-255-2121. The Raine Street Community Center is located at 504 Raine St., Poplarville.