COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Ahead of the first day of school, Gamecock Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley is helping the kids go back in style.

It’s part of a back-to-school bash hosted in partnership with Richland School District One and Absolute Total Care.

Whether it was kids selling their science products or coming to get a bag of school supplies before the semester, Coach Dawn Staley says giving back to the community holds a special place in her heart.

“There are pockets of the communities that need help,” said Staley. “So we want to be on the ground in the communities of places that are enthused about us being here.”

“The shoes are a big thing. It’s a big thing for me. As a kid, when I was growing up, I didn’t care what I looked like from my ankles up.”

It’s just one part of a larger effort to give back to the community. South Carolina Gamecock Women’s Basketball head coach Dawn Staley’s Inner Sole Foundation is partnering with organizations for a back-to-school bash.

“Notebook paper, composition books. These kinds of things that kids are going to need to get back to school next week,” said Absolute Total Care’s, Monya Terry.

Each child who got a pair of shoes was able to take home a personal picture with Coach Staley after getting their school supplies.

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