Celebrating Our 8th Annual Back To School Rally Heroes
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding sponsors and partners who played a pivotal role in the resounding success of the 8th Annual Back To School Rally. With over 1,000 eager attendees, 56 devoted volunteers, 21 essential community partners, and the unwavering support of our title sponsor, Dr. Shante Williams and Black Pearl Vision, this event exemplified the strength of community collaboration. Dr. Williams and Black Pearl Vision’s generous donation of 150 youth eyeglass frames and prescription services, combined with the dedication of The Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Heads Up Barber and Beauty, and our esteemed partners, created a memorable experience for our community’s youth and their families. Together, we continue to uplift, support, and inspire the next generation on their educational journey.
The 8th Annual Back to School Rally was a resounding success! A day filled with enthusiasm, positivity, and a sense of community that left a lasting impression. It not only set a positive tone for the academic year but also reinforced the sense of unity and purpose within the community. The effort put into planning and executing this event was evident in every detail. It was a pleasure to work with such a remarkable, passionate and purpose driven group of people. We look forward to collaborating with HUFOY again in the future.
As someone who recently moved into the area I was looking into ways I can contribute and help in the community. I was told about the event being held by HUFOY and I was a first time volunteer. What an event it was! It was great to see all the children (and parents) having a blast! Great job by HUFOY.
Brother Shaw and his whole team deserve the utmost praise for the vision that grounds this event. My 14 year old son participated in the basketball tournament and had an opportunity to see what giving back to the community looks like. The visibility of resources at the various tables was encouraging as well.
Thanks to Dewayne Shaw and His team, Head’s Up. I brought a group of Kids from Burlington up to Greensboro for this event. They treated Them just like Family.They really enjoyed all the activities. They all got book bags and school supplies. They got some info for school and some info for life. “Great Job “
Heads Up 4 Our Youth has been a great asset to the greater community, providing positive experiences for our kids, free haircuts, school supplies, mentorship and so much more. The leadership is a true example of whats needed more in our community!!!
I have been part of HUFOY for 8 years, since its inception. This being said, I am also a very blunt individual that looks on things from a neutral perspective. My main loyalty will always be to Jesus.
If what Dwayne Shaw and Rick Morton are doing at HUFOY isn’t the Lord’s work, I don’t know what is. To minister to the widows and fatherless is the call of community missions, and many children in the communities that HUFOY focuses on have absent fathers. These kids have found fatherhood through community engagement, and found that encouragement through the men and women of HUFOY.
I am so inspired by the work that is done in this organization that it inspired me to start my own business and branch out into other opportunities as well.
When I was at my lowest, I could always find my way to the therapy chair and talk it out with my brothers at Heads Up Barber.
These kids have found that therapy chair and it’s HUFOY.
R. David Lopez Jr.
GS-10 Dept of Veterans Affairs (14y Honorable Federal svc)
VA Disability Retired Veteran, US Army 101st ABN
Many thanks to Dwayne Shaw and his team, Head’s Up For Our Youth, for inviting E.H. Bowman & Associates, LLC to their 8th Annual Back to School Rally! They did an amazing job this past Sunday & were amazing hosts!
It was an action-packed afternoon of community vendors, free hair cuts, free eye exams, dance contest, basketball tournament, live music and food to include concessions and food trucks! The icing on the cake…..1000 bookbags were given away to all registered attendees!
It is heartwarming to see the effort and dedication provided by HUFOY for the community. The event (as always) was well organized and family oriented. It was very enjoyable and also helped lots of families. I’m glad to have been able to attend with my family.
In an era where there is a supreme amount of distrust between law enforcement and the community, it was great to see officers interacting with the people. I myself am disabled and I was assisted multiple times by them.I engaged in some much needed dialogue as well. This event was for the kids but as an adult, I had a great time and was able to see a great show. Definitely will be attending next year!
Thank you so much Dwayne for putting together a great back to school community event. The basketball game was lots of fun. Thank you all for providing great school supplies.
HUFOY’s mission is to give young people and their families opportunities for growth and development through partnerships with organizations, community leaders and businesses. In 2022, HUFOY interacted with more than 1,000 youth and their families at our 7th Annual Back to School Rally. Your donations help us to create impactful events tailored towards the needs of the community we serve.
Everything we do is centered on the premise of making life better for the youth and their families in our community. Every positive encounter, every risky behavior that is diverted and every thoughtful choice made is a testament to the work we do. Every positive outcome for the youth we serve is a positive outcome for us all, and it is with help from caring individuals , community leaders and businesses like yours that we are able to expand our reach and create a lasting impact for our children.
It was clear that this young cheerleader was a natural performer, with a passion for her craft that shone through in every move. Her energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and the audience was captivated from start to finish.
As the routine came to a close, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, and the young cheerleader beamed with pride. For her and her team, this was a moment they would never forget, a chance to shine in front of their peers and show what they were capable of.
But it was also a testament to the work of organizations like HUFOY, who provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents and gain confidence in their abilities. Through events like the Back To School Rally halftime show, HUFOY is able to give local youth the support and resources they need to succeed, and this little cheerleader was a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication and hard work.
In the end, it was a performance that left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed it. This little cutie and her amazing cheer team proved that with passion and determination, anything is possible. They rocked the HUFOY halftime show, and their future is bright with promise.
Choreographed by the honorable Coach Jae and Jamboree of Gymstones
The 7th Annual HUFOY Back To School Rally was a huge success, with community members coming together to support local youth as they prepare for a new school year. The event featured a variety of activities, but one of the highlights was the 10 on 10 Tug-of-War contest, which provided a fun and interactive way for young people to learn valuable life lessons.
The Tug-of-War contest was a high-energy event that saw teams of 10 youth competing against each other in a battle of strength and determination. As they pulled with all their might, coaches yelled out words of encouragement, urging them to never give up and believe in themselves. The contest allowed youth to learn the value of teamwork, perseverance, and resilience, all while having fun and enjoying the camaraderie of their peers.
One of the most amazing things about the contest was how it brought people together from different backgrounds and walks of life. Boys and girls, black and white, short and tall, all came together to work towards a common goal. For that moment, differences didn’t matter, and the focus was on pulling together as a team to achieve victory.
The event was a showcase of togetherness, sportsmanship, and heart. It was a reminder of the importance of community, and how coming together to support one another can lead to great things. The Tug-of-War contest was a powerful example of how a simple game can teach so many important life lessons, and how HUFOY is making a positive impact in the lives of local youth.
Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and dedication. They showed us what can be achieved when we work together, and their commitment to success was truly inspiring. As we look forward to the next HUFOY Back To School Rally, we can’t wait to see what other amazing things the youth of our community will achieve.
The day was filled with excitement, energy, and a strong sense of community. One of the standout moments of the event was when a young lady was awarded a Heads Up medal for her contribution to her team’s victory in the 10 on 10 Tug-of-War contest.
As co-founder Dwayne Shaw presented her with the medal, the announcer DJ Jimmy Jam called out her name to the cheering crowd. The look in her eyes was unforgettable – a mixture of pride, determination, and joy. In that moment, she knew that she had accomplished something special.
It wasn’t just about the medal, it was about the journey to get there. The Tug-of-War contest was tough and required all the strength and resilience she could muster. Her hands ached from holding on to the rope while her opponents tried to drag her down, but she never gave up. She held on tight and kept pulling until her team emerged victorious.
The look in her eyes told the story of a young lady who had overcome a challenge and emerged stronger and more confident as a result. She had won, and in doing so, she had learned valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the power of a never-give-up attitude.
This moment was a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of our youth. By acknowledging their hard work and dedication, we can help build their confidence and motivate them to strive for even greater success in the future.
The Heads Up medal was more than just a piece of metal; it was a symbol of the pride and accomplishment that this young lady felt in that moment. It represented the dedication, hard work, and perseverance that had led her to victory. And it was a testament to the power of community, teamwork, and the belief that with effort and determination, anything is possible.
As we look back on the 7th Annual HUFOY Back To School Rally, we can’t help but feel inspired by this young lady and her incredible achievement. She showed us that with hard work and a never-give-up attitude, anything is possible. And we can’t wait to see what other amazing things the youth of our community will achieve in the years to come.
© 2022 Heads Up For Our Youth All Rights Reserved.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Tax I.D. 47-3146377
