August will be a busy month at Belmont United Methodist Church as it hosts a neighborhood picnic and its annual Education Sunday.

“We had a neighborhood picnic in 2010 and it was a great success,” says Judy Orick, outreach director for the church. “This year, it will be on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is a good opportunity for families to come out and enjoy lunch and fun activities, then still go on with their evening activities.”

Everything is free. Activities, live music and food are all being donated.

“AAA will run a bike rodeo with the help of church volunteers, and we have a limited supply of helmets to give to children who don’t have one,” said Orick. “One of our members – Terry Moses – is a member of a clown group, and they will be here. Another church member, Ken Kuhbander, is the ‘balloon man,’ and will be making balloon animals for children.”

Live music will be provided by the Toni Hates Jazz band with church member and drummer John Loy.

“Boy Scout Troop 45, which meets at the church, is doing the food booth and will have hot dogs; church members are making desserts,” Orick said. “And, the Dayton Police Department will have its Bat Car here.”

Then, on Sunday, August 26, the church will have its third annual Education Sunday service.

In the weeks before Education Sunday, members bring in school supplies and backpacks and place them on the altar. “During the service, our pastor blesses the supplies and invites all children in attendance to bring up their backpacks for a blessing,” Orick said.

The week following the service, the supplies and backpacks are delivered to Horace Mann and distributed to classrooms and students by the principal.

The church is located at 2701 S. Smithville Road.