happenings
29 JULY
HARBORSIDE EVENT CENTER 11AM-3PM
The BIG Backpack Event PROVIDING SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 2,500 STUDENTS The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida’s “BIG Backpack Event” is a highly anticipated annual event that takes place towards the end of summer in Lee County to celebrate back-to-school and diversity in our community. For the past 12 years the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida has been hosting this popular community outreach event that has provided new backpacks and school supplies to over 25,000 students since its inception. The BIG Backpack event will be held this year on Sunday, July 29 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers. The event lends a helping hand to students in need of new school supplies and celebrates the diversity in Southwest Florida. The event draws an estimated crowd of 15,000 people each year, which kicks off the new school year. Although the doors open to begin the event at 11 a.m., the line begins to form around the Harborside Event Center as early at 7 a.m. The first 2,500 students ages 5-12 will receive free backpacks, school supplies,
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JULY 2012 | LIFESTYLEMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
eye exams, haircuts, and giveaways. Parents or guardians must bring their school age children in order to receive the free supplies. Families will also enjoy festivities that include face painting, an inflatable slide & bounce house, clowns, and live multicultural entertainment on the main stage throughout the event. “Every student should start the first day of school with confidence and pride,” says Leonardo Garcia, the founder of the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida. He
adds, “The event gets parents and children excited and prepared to go back-to-school.” There is no fee for the event, and all families are welcome to come out and enjoy the fun festivities. Vendors, sponsors, and donations are welcome. 100% of all donations go directly to support students in need. Every $10 donation adopts a student in need and provides them with a new backpack and school supplies. For more information visit www.multiculturalcentre.org LP