JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ascension St. Vincent’s Arlington Emergency Care held its annual back-to-school community giveaway Saturday morning, handing out backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, helmets and offering activities for children.
The event, one of the hospital group’s biggest of the year, helped an estimated 150 to 200 children.
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“It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to the community,” said Missy Grubb, emergency freestanding manager at Ascension St. Vincent’s Arlington.
Grubb added that Ascension St. Vincent’s aims to support families beyond medicine.
“I know we’re always here to help care for their medical needs, but to be able to help in other ways - financial issues, being able to help give these kids a great success for their year back,” she said.
Parents who attended said the event made preparing for the first day of school easier.
Nonyalen Padrigan, whose son is entering second grade, said beating the heat was worth it.
“We appreciate this. It’s really a big help for us families with kids,” she said. “We don’t have to buy those other supplies — we’re getting them free.”
If you missed this giveaway, there are plenty more back-to-school events scheduled across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. See a list of upcoming giveaways and celebrations here.