Back-to-School Bashes, Health Fairs & Donation Drives

School bells will be ringing soon, signaling that classes are back in session. Before the 2015-2015 year begins, have some fun, get informed, and help other teachers and students at these back-to-school bashes, events, and donation drives taking place throughout Polk County.
 
Student orientation: Thursday, August 20
First day of school for students: Monday, August 24
 
Tax-free holiday: August 7-16
 

Bashes

 
Back to School Bash
When: Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Where: Eloise Resource Center 710 Snively Avenue, Eloise
What: Polk County Parks & Recreation’s Back to School Bash is a free family event. Families will get to enjoy free school supplies for children kindergarten through the fifth grade (first come, first served). Families will also enjoy music, educational exhibitors, and children activities. This event will help children start the school year off on the right foot.
Contact: 863-298-4485
 
Back to School Bash

When: Sunday, August 9, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Where: Wilfred Smith Resource Center, 135 Avenue Y N.E., Winter Haven
What: Polk County Parks & Recreation’s Back to School Bash is a free family event. Families will get to enjoy free school supplies for children kindergarten through the fifth grade (first come, first served). Families will also enjoy music, educational exhibitors, and children activities. This event will help children start the school year off on the right foot.
Contact: 863-298-7898
 
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH Winter Haven

When: Saturday, August 15, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Greater Works Ministries, 2110 Oakhurst Drive, Winter Haven
What: Food, entertainment, various groups with information and resources for children and parents, haircuts, various back-to-school services and games.
Contact: 863-206-5706
 
EMERGE Goes Back to School

When: Tuesday, August 18, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Crystal Lake Elementary, 700 Galvin Drive, Lakeland
What: EMERGE Lakeland is giving back to some hardworking Polk County teachers! Volunteers will meet at Crystal Lake Elementary for a light breakfast before helping teachers prepare their classrooms for the 2015-2016 school year!
 
Even if you can’t volunteer that day, you can help by donating the following “Back to School” items:
 
Notebooks
Composition Books
Pencils
Crayons
Erasers
Hand Sanitizer
Kleenex
 
Contact: 863-688-8551 ext. 228
 

Back-to-School Extravaganza

When: Saturday, August 22, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Where: Ward and Coney Community Center, 2610 Recker Highway, Winter Haven
What: Many local businesses have come together to provide the community with fun, food, hairstyles, bounce houses, kids craft workshops, health testings, live entertainment and valuable giveaways for this extravaganza. The Guest Speaker will be Altrichia Cook, CEO of Allusions By A.Lekay. School Supplies will be given to a limited number of students.
*Parents must PRE-REGISTERfor the school supply packages.
Contact: 863-288-0099, wardandconeycenter@gmail.com
 
Back to School Pool Bash

When: August 29, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Where: Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center, 801 Ave. T NE, Winter Haven
What: Enjoy food, water slides, bounce houses, games, music, and more at this free community event geared towards ages 6-17.
Contact: 863-291-5675
 

Health Fairs

 
Back To School Health Fair

When: Friday, Aug 8 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Where: Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, 40100 US Highway 27, Davenport
What: Celebrate back to school with Heart of Florida.

  • School-aged children can enjoy Heart of Florida’s Kid Clinic: a hands-on learning opportunity focused on staying healthy, exercising, and eating right.
  • Heart of Florida’s Teddy Bear Clinic: a special check-up for your child’s teddy bear.
  • Education on concussion awareness, early learning programs, a healthy eating initiative, and more, provided by Nemours Children’s Hospital.
  • Local pediatricians, physicians, police, and EMS offer info on back-to-school screenings & discounts, and keeping kids safe during the school year.
  • Enjoy the fun zone with free crafts, face-painting, and activities.

Contact: RSVP line, 866-997-DOCS
 
Back to School Health Fair

When: Friday, Aug 14, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Central Florida Health Care, Inc.-Mulberry, 106 NW 9th Ave., Mulberry
What: A Central Florida Health Care back to school health clinic featuring  CFHC school supplies and backpacks also.
Contact: 863-425-6200
 

Donation Drives

 
Stuff the Bus

Stuff the Bus is Central Florida’s largest back-to-school campaign. In addition to the traditional school supplies that are needed such as pens, pencils, wide rule paper, folders with prongs, crayons, markers, backpacks, glue and erasers, you may also donate copy paper, facial tissue, index cards, highlighters, hand sanitizer, zip lock bags, and pencil boxes. Stop by Hall Communications located at 404 West Lime Street in Lakeland between on Wednesday, August 19 between 7:00-8:30 a.m. to deliver your drop-off. Stuff the Bus is taking place throughout Polk County. Here is a list of Lakeland drop-off sites leading up to the August 19th event: Learning Resource Center, Red Elephant Pizza and Grill, Victory Church, Lakeland Association of Realtors, Regal Lakeland, Maximize Digital Media, and The Doggie Bag Boutique. Please visit https://lrcpolk.com/stuff-the-bus-for-students-in-need/for more information.
 
Winter Haven Stuff the Bus Info.
 
Pace Center for Girls – Polk Supply Drive

PACE Polk could use your help with school supplies. They will welcome 48 girls on August 17, and could use supplies such as pencils, binders, notebooks, crayons, dictionaries, markers, glue sticks, and more. Please contact Mayelin Quintero at 863-688-5596 or mayelin.quintero@pacecenter.org for more information on how you can help. You can also find a list of needed supplies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PaceCenterPolk. Pace Polk is located at 101 West Main Street, Suite 140 in Lakeland.