Annandale kids ready for school
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| Students pick up free backpacks full of school supplies. |
Thousands of Annandale kids are ready for school, thanks to
the many donors and volunteers who took part in the first-ever Annandale Pyramid Back-to-School Resource Fair Aug. 21 at Annandale High School.
the many donors and volunteers who took part in the first-ever Annandale Pyramid Back-to-School Resource Fair Aug. 21 at Annandale High School.
Kids and their parents started lining up two hours before
the doors opened at 2 p.m. They left the event with free backpacks loaded with school
supplies, back-to-school clothes from the B-Thrifty shop and other donors, and
lots of information about local schools and community
resources.
the doors opened at 2 p.m. They left the event with free backpacks loaded with school
supplies, back-to-school clothes from the B-Thrifty shop and other donors, and
lots of information about local schools and community
resources.
Hair Cuttery employees set up a mini-salon in one of the schools’s trailers, while other trailers were converted to children’s clothing boutiques. The Annandale Lions Club provided free vision and hearing screening. There was also face
painting, a DJ, and live music performed by students in the Annandale High School Orchestra. Food for Others gave parents fresh produce to take home.
painting, a DJ, and live music performed by students in the Annandale High School Orchestra. Food for Others gave parents fresh produce to take home.
The resource fair was “amazingly successful,” said Annandale
High School Principal Vincent Randazzo. During the first hour, 1,600 people
showed up, and he estimated nearly 5,000 came through by the end of the day.
High School Principal Vincent Randazzo. During the first hour, 1,600 people
showed up, and he estimated nearly 5,000 came through by the end of the day.
“It’s important to reach out to the community to build
relationships and to build trust,” Randazzo said. The event was targeted to
lower-income families.
relationships and to build trust,” Randazzo said. The event was targeted to
lower-income families.
The backpacks and school supplies were donated by non-profit
organizations, community groups, and individuals, said Kathi Sheffel, the
homeless liaison for Fairfax County Public Schools.
organizations, community groups, and individuals, said Kathi Sheffel, the
homeless liaison for Fairfax County Public Schools.
Nearly 50 organizations and county agencies participated in
the resource fair, and many had displays showcasing their services, including
Alternative House, the Fairfax County Office for Children, Annandale Boys and Girls Club, Just Neighbors, Korean Community Service Center, Girl Scouts, Boat People
SOS, the county office for Women and Sexual Violence Services, and many more.
the resource fair, and many had displays showcasing their services, including
Alternative House, the Fairfax County Office for Children, Annandale Boys and Girls Club, Just Neighbors, Korean Community Service Center, Girl Scouts, Boat People
SOS, the county office for Women and Sexual Violence Services, and many more.
Many of the schools that feed into Annandale High School
also had tables with lots of information to help families start the school year well prepared. Schools in the Annandale
pyramid include Annandale Terrace, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Columbia, Mason
Crest, North Springfield, and Weyanoke elementary schools and Holmes and Poe middle schools.
also had tables with lots of information to help families start the school year well prepared. Schools in the Annandale
pyramid include Annandale Terrace, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Columbia, Mason
Crest, North Springfield, and Weyanoke elementary schools and Holmes and Poe middle schools.
The event was developed by the Annandale Pyramid Community Resources Team. After spending the past year identifying needs in the community, team members decided to focus on providing school supplies.
2 responses to “Annandale kids ready for school”
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It truly showed the spirit of the community and the needs of so many of our families. Vincent Randazzo comment about building trust, was something I learned our community needs. I volunteered for only a couple of hours, but during those evening hours, I heard several comments to the tune of : what is the gimmick? I don't want to give my information. Why are they doing this? Thank you Annandale Pyramid for being in tune to the needs of our community.
This was one of the most well-organized events I have volunteered for in a long time. And I felt appreciated. Thank you for sponsoring such a great event