As the new school year approaches, families across the Rockaway Peninsula gathered for the 8th annual Community and Back-to-School Wellness event on Aug. 16, hosted at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. This event aimed to provide essential services and a festive atmosphere to help local children start the academic year with confidence.
What was the purpose of the event?
“We want to make sure the children in our community have the supplies they need to begin the school year on a positive note,” said Nancy Leghart, Executive Director of St. John’s ICARE Foundation, which sponsored the event. The event brought families together, offering health information, school necessities, and fun activities.
The day was filled with health screenings, pediatric appointments, and the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies. Children enjoyed games like basketball and archery, and indulged in refreshing treats from Pelican’s Snoball.
Who helped organize the event?
The event was supported by team members from St. John’s ICARE Foundation, Episcopal Health Services (EHS), and St. John’s Medical Group, along with nearly 30 student volunteers from Ross University School of Medicine.
“The outpouring of support from our dedicated team members and Ross University School of Medicine students was overwhelming,” Leghart remarked. “We’re so grateful that these students chose to learn at our health system and are eager to support our community outreach efforts.”
Community sponsors, including Scouting America, National Grid, and Healthfirst, contributed valuable information about their programs and services.
What were the community’s thoughts?
“We are incredibly grateful to our community partners and sponsors for making this event a tremendous success,” said Renee Hastick-Motes, President of St. John’s ICARE Foundation. “We are committed to addressing the needs of families in our communities and ensuring they have access to necessary resources.”
Special thanks were given to everyone who contributed backpacks and school supplies, as well as the event sponsors.
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