Replenish school supplies for end of year tests
Employees at BlueChoice HealthPlan Medicaid want to restock the school supplies for local students, and hope to also give them a boost of energy for the last few months of school.
At Repack the Backpack from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Martin Luther King Park in Columbia families can pick up new school supplies, get free health screenings, see fitness demonstrations and find some new ways to play. The Columbia Parks & Recreation Department and Alpha Media Columbia (Hot 103.9 & 93.9 and The Big DM 101.3) are co-hosts for the event.
Organizers believe the free family event it is the first of its kind in the Midlands. If it proves successful, BlueChoice Health Plan Medicaid, which is organizing the event, will roll it out statewide next year.
“We just thought that everyone does a back-to-school drive, but those who are underserved need help all year long,” said Donna Williams, marketing and membership outreach lead for BlueChoice Health Plan Medicaid. While the event hopes to reach families in need, there is no screening process to attend the event and receive free school supplies and all families are welcome to attend.
Williams and her team hope it will not only help students and their families, but also the teachers who often reach into their own wallets to provide essential supplies for their students.
The school supplies have been donated by BlueChoice Health Plan Medicaid employees and by vendors at the event.
In addition to giving out a fresh supply of pens, pencils and glue sticks, vendors also will offer information and services to the families at the event.
Walgreens and Wal-Mart will offer BMI, glucose, vision and cholesterol screenings. Virginia College will provide haircuts and manicures and will assist with health screenings. Doctors Care will conduct free sports physicals on a first-come, first-served basis.
An interactive fun zone will include a video game truck, face painting, fitness fest, obstacle courses, giant games and a snack shack. Entertainment by local groups will be scheduled every half hour on stage. Allen University will offer a cheer clinic. And Richland Library will have its mobile sprinter on hand to play music, provide free Wi-Fi and offer children’s crafts.
In addition, Alpha Media has issued a challenge to local schools. The school with the highest number of students and staff members in attendance will win a pep rally by Alpha Media radio personalities at the school.
Activities will be held both outside and indoors. In case of rain, all activities will move indoors. The first 500 participants will receive free backpacks.
Williams said , she hopes the event will also be a morale booster for local students as standardized testing dates approach.
“It’s time for testing. This can get them charged and engaged,” she said.
Bridget Winston, Special to The State