Children Receive Free School Supplies at Back2School Jam

Kids gathered recently at Sylvan Park for gifts, but not because it was Christmas. The City of Redlands hosted its Back2School Jam, where kids in kindergarten through third grade were given bicycles and backpacks full of school supplies. Members of the Redlands Police Department, Redlands Fire Department, Micah House and various other local businesses, churches, community groups and City and County agencies helped give away the supplies, donated by the University of Redlands, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 3. Families were joined by infamous pirate Captain Jack Sparrow of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series fame, as well as Disney characters Tinker Bell and Snow White, and they enjoyed free food, refreshments and music, to boot. Activity booths sprawled across Sylvan Park, where kids learned balloon-figure making and jumped in blow-up castles. The Redlands Police and Fire Departments performed a rodeo show to explain how to ride bikes to and from school safely. A bicycle raffle gave away 25 bicycles. The Back2School Jam was held in conjunction with the Redlands Community Cleanup day, which ran from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 2. Neighborhood cleanup locations included Post Street and Brockton Avenue, Cook Street and Cero Court, The Terrace, Citrus Avenue and Kaye Court and Second Baptist church on the 400 block of East Stuart Street. Each child or teen who participated in the cleanup efforts received a free backpack and school supplies. Redlands police officer and event coordinator Elyzabeth Green said, “I wanted to do something for the children of this community by motivating them and giving away school supplies and everything else they need before their first day of school. It is important to keep our children motivated so they can do and be great, as well as stay focused,” she said. Children in the Redlands Unified School District began their 2013–2014 school year on Aug. 14. [END] Kimberly’s original article: If you are happy to go back to school, clap your hands! Saturday, August 3rd was full of fun, games , and performances in the city of Redlands at Sylman Park! The city of Redlands hosted the Back To School Jam Resource Fair where the Redlands Police and Fire Department, Micah’s House, and many other participating organizations and churches gave back to the children in the community to prepare them for their first day of school. From grades K-3, children were given free backpacks which included various school supplies donated by University of Redlands. Families who attended this event were welcomed with loud music, free hot dogs, popcorn, and soft drink beverages. All the children that attended had also been welcomed by the infamous Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneys own Tinkerbell and Princess Snow White! There were fun filled activity booths ranging from balloon making, blown up castles made for jumping, to prayer booths where families and children can ask for God’s safety as they continue their journey to success. Redlands PD and Fire Department had given a rodeo show which explained to all the children how important it is to ride their bikes the safe way to and from school. They had even ran a raffle run where 25 bicycles would be given to 25 winners. Elyzabeth Green, Officer of the City of Redlands Department and also coordinator of this event passionately stated, “I wanted to do something for the children of this community by motivating them, giving away school supplies and everything else that is needed before their first day of school. It is important to keep our children motivated so they can do and be great as well as stay focused.” At the end of am exciting day at the Back To School Jam Resource Fair, families left satisfied and children were left anxiously waiting to go back to school. PR: Back2School Jam & Resource Fair Date: Saturday, August 03, 2013 Time: 10:00 a.m. Event Location: Sylvan Park Address: 730 Chapel St. Redlands CA 92374 Description: RPD and Micah House will give away bicycles and backpacks from 10 a.m. through noon. Free event. CONTACT INFO Phone: Elyzabeth Green 909-798-7534 ext. 2 Website: egreen@redlandspolice.org Saturday, Aug. 3 10 a.m. - noon Sylvan Park Corner of Colton Ave. & N. University St. Or Corner of Colton Ave. & Chapel St. For immediate release: Back2School Jam includes school supplies and bicycle rodeo The Redlands Police Department and Micah House, with help from local businesses, churches, community groups and City and county agencies, will give away bicycles and backpacks during a Back2School Jam and Community Resource Fair at Sylvan Park from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 3. There will be free snacks and music provided for the community. The giveaway is held in conjunction with a Community Clean-Up Day, from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 2. Neighborhood clean-up locations include Post Street and Brockton Avenue, Cook Street and Cero Court, The Terrace, Citrus Avenue and Kaye Court, and Second Baptist Church, 420 E. Stuart St. Each child or teen participating in the clean-up day will receive a free backpack and school supplies. Last year more than 600 backpacks and school supplies were donated to children and youth. This year the goal is to donate 1,200. Donations of school supplies, backpacks or money are needed. Any donation helps and is greatly appreciated. Checks can be made payable to City of Redlands (Attn: Back to School Jam). The free events are open to the community and intended to support success in school for local youth by providing resources to children and families in a family-friendly setting. Various organizations will be participating. The Redlands Police Department’s purpose is to control crime before it occurs by supporting strong families, resilient youth and safe and sustainable neighborhoods. If you have any questions, or would be interested in donating or attending the event, please feel free to contact Event Coordinator Officer Elyzabeth Green at 909-798-7534 ext. 2 or at egreen@redlandspolice.org.