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Back to school fair prepares for biggest year yet
By Lena Price, staff writer
About 3,000 LISD students will have the chance to pick up free study supplies at the second annual Back 2 School Health Fair Aug. 11.
The fair will also include free health screenings, dental checkups, eye exams and information for high school students about colleges and financial aid.
Interested parents may register their children online at www.back2schoolhealthfair.org. Representatives from Heavenly Supply Depot, the local nonprofit group hosting the fair, will also hand out vouchers at several Wal-Mart stores now through July 6. All students from pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade who need help purchasing school supplies are eligible to attend the fair.
She said about 29 percent of children in LISD qualify for free or reduced lunch.
"That translates to about 15,000 kids living either at or below the poverty line," Teamer said. "When we realized there was a greater need in the community, we started our own non-profit and expanded."
Last summer, 1,400 students received free school supplies at the Back 2 School Health Fair.
"I had one mother come up to me and say because she saved money on school supplies, she was able to afford an instrument for her child to participate in the school band," Teamer said. "It's little things like that that make this event incredibly rewarding."
Gene Smith, the general manager of the Lewisville Holiday Inn Express, has been a part of the Back 2 School Health Fair since the beginning.
"So much goes into the event, there are so many logistical issues to take care of that you don't really think about," Smith said. "You have to organize the school supplies, vendors, parking, safety and security. It's really a phenomenal thing."
A team of about 25 community members start planning the school fair in January. Smith said because the 2013 event will probably be even larger, they will have to begin preparing even earlier than usual.
"We'll probably all be exhausted after the event, and we'll take about a two-week break," Smith said. "But right after that, probably around early September, we'll be back at it. But it's worth it."
Smith attended last year's mostly outdoor event in the 100 plus degree heat. He said despite the weather, people came in droves for the free supplies and health information.
"It was so hot, we must have gone through 2,000 bottles of water," Smith said. "But as the kids were leaving, I could see them sitting in the parking lot opening up their backpacks to look at their supplies. They were so excited. When you see those kids light up, it really makes all the time worth it."
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