Willie Kemp’s Beyond the Game Brings School Supplies to Bolivar
Willie Kemp returned to Bolivar on Monday, July 31, 2023, for his annual Beyond the Game Presents School Supply Giveaway. A variety of school supplies that included notebooks, pencils, and more covered the tables that ran almost the length of the City of Bolivar City. Children and their parents and grandparents excitedly waited to stock up on supplies to help them get ready for school.
Willie Kemp and his wife, Misee, enjoyed shopping for the event which had them giving away 225 backpacks and just about every school supply a child needed to have a great start back to school.
“I actually did some of the shopping and my wife also helped me. We went to a lot of different stores and ordered some things online,” said Kemp. “It is always fun because we are putting a smile on these kids’ faces. That is what it is about. A lot of parents may be struggling and I am just trying to do my part and bless some of those people. People are just very excited about it every year.”
Stacy Williams and her mother, Margaret Beasley, attended the event and shared their appreciation of the giveaway.
“I think it is good they are giving back to the community for the kids, because some parents are not able to afford different supplies,” said Williams who is raising seven grandchildren.
Alesha Lewis brought her kindergarten and sixth grade children to the event. Her youngest chose a Transformer backpack and filled it with supplies.
“It is helping a lot to get the last minute stuff I didn’t have,” said Lewis. “I think it is just a great experience for him just helping the community.”
“I really think this is something good he is doing for the children and the community. A lot of kids are not fortunate and I think he is doing such a great job,” said La’Quetta Hamiel.
Chris Griggs with Seedco partnered with Beyond the Game to share affordable options to help families stay healthy.
“We work at helping community and families build good relationships, and have healthy bodies. We help them with enrollment in the Marketplace, and TennCare and Medicare enrollment. Since we are a non-profit, we do not charge anything,” said Griggs.
Willie Kemp has held the supply giveaway in Bolivar for almost 10 years. Although he no longer lives in Bolivar, Kemp regularly visits the community where he grew up and still has family and friends. He now lives in the Memphis area where he coaches the Whitehaven High School boys basketball team. No matter what he does in life, Bolivar will always be home for Kemp.
“I just never forget where I came from. I was raised here and went to the University of Memphis just down the road, so I was home a lot. My family is still here and it (Bolivar) is just home to me and I always want to give back to home,” said Kemp. “I love Hardeman County.”
Read more local news by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by following Hatchie Press on Facebook and Subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
Do you have community news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
