It was a busy—and expensive—weekend for some families in the Leeds area as they prepared to send their kids back to school on Monday morning. The burden was eased for some families though thanks to contributions and volunteers.

Part celebration and part filling a need, the Leeds Brotherhood and Sisterhood Association hosted a Back to School rally on Saturday, August 7, at Moton Park.

According to representatives of the group, about 300 people attended the event. One of the goals was to help children be prepared for the first day of school by providing them with backpacks filled with school supplies. The group handed out 200 of the backpacks.

The event wasn’t just a pick-up for the backpacks, it was a day of fun-filled activities that included food and music, and a visit from NBA Hall of Famer and Leeds native Charles Barkley.

Barkley spoke to the youth about the importance of staying in school and getting an education.

Local children also helped out their community and environment by planting trees around the playground area of the 20-acre park. Peter Bonventre and Carl Marbury, members of the Leeds Brotherhood Society, provided oversight of the plantings, which started on Saturday and will be completed on August 14.

The tree seedlings were Royal Empress, which is widely known as Empress trees. The fast-growing tree zooms to a flowering, scented shade tree in two seasons, according to Marbury. In the springtime, the Empress blossoms, sprouting masses of lavendar flowers. The tree rises to about 65 feet with a spread of about 30 feet.

The trees were a donated as a memorial gift from the Will and Mary Marbury family, with descendants residing in Leeds and around the country.

“We hope this starts a trend (of planting trees at the park). We have plenty of room for more,” Marbury said.

Local businesses and individuals who donated to the Back to School rally included: Attorney Lee Barnes Jr., Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds Councilman Kenneth Washington, Ernestine Binion, E. Melton Thomas, Jack Corson, Marie McDonald, Denise McDaniel, and Food Market of Leeds.