Children from throughout Beaufort County started school on Aug. 17, and many of them got some help to kick off the year with new school supplies. Here, about a dozen volunteers help fill new back to school backpacks with all kinds of school supplies donated by area businesses, individuals and a few gated communities during Operation Back Pack recently at United Way office on Ribaut Road. “We’re filling 600 back packs destined for eight schools in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” said Jaime Dailey-Vergara of the United Way. “We’re working through school counselors to assist in identifying students in need not currently being served by any other agencies.” Photo by Bob Sofaly.