Hampton County law firm donates nearly 1,300 backpacks to elementary students

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - The Marc Brown Law Firm donated nearly 1,300 backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies to elementary students across Hampton County ahead of the new school year.

Marc Brown, founding attorney of the Marc Brown Law Firm, said the giveaway is an annual event, but this year he expanded the effort from a single school to every elementary school in the county.

“My law firm, every year, we pick one elementary school in South Carolina,” Brown said. “This year, I decided I want to do something a little bit different. So we decided to do it for a whole county here in Hampton County.”

Backpacks delivered directly to schools

Brown said the firm had the backpacks delivered to schools ahead of time so students would find them waiting at their seats when they arrived to meet their teachers and see their new classrooms.

Brown said the decision to focus on Hampton County was connected to a staff member at his firm who grew up in the area.

“It was only right to come back home,” Brown said.

Principal: giveaway removes burden from families

Peggy Bing O’Banner, principal of Varnville Elementary, said the on-site distribution made a difference for families.

“I like the fact that North Brown brought the backpacks to the school so that the parents didn’t have to do the riding of the circuit,” O’Banner said. “And we get to connect with the parent and the child at the same time.”

O’Banner said she hopes students take a lesson from the gesture.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” O’Banner said. “These kids need to see that he’s been given a big brain and now he’s got a big heart.”

Brown: inspiration rooted in family

Brown said the giveaway traces back to his mother, a public-school teacher for more than 30 years.

“Her love for students, once I got the opportunity to be in a position to give back and help, I try to aim all of my time and efforts towards students,” Brown said.

Brown said he also wants the students to see what is possible.

“One thing I hope that people see is that I was just a little dude from rural South Carolina — not too much different from Hampton, South Carolina,” Brown said. “And to be able to grow up and become a lawyer and come back home and come back to other communities and help students that sit in the same classroom that people in my office used to sit in not too long ago. Anything is possible.”