School supply block party Saturday at middle school in New London

New London - Miracle Temple Church and a local chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity are working together to offer school supplies to local students.

The two groups will give book bags to the first 125 students to take part Saturday in their third annual School Supply Block Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

Saturday's event will include voter registration, free haircuts, food, community vendors and a step exhibition by the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Last year nearly 100 students received book bags when the event was held at the Thames River Apartments. Several students also won raffles for computers. Over the past three years Miracle Temple at 727 Bank St. has provided supplies to more than 300 children.

John Watts, a local resident and Phi Beta Sigma member, said: "I started the program in New Haven where the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity sponsored more than 1,500 students in the past three years. It is a very successful program that can meet the economic needs of low-income families."

Watts said he would like to see the church and fraternity program grow and be able to sponsor 500 children per year.