The Center will be preparing more than 1,000 K-12 pre-registered children of qualified low income families from Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena at the 18th annual Back to School event on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The event will be hosted at the historic Santa Anita Park Racetrack at 285 W. Huntington Dr. in Arcadia.
Families who use the services at Foothill Unity Center have incomes at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Line and do not have the funds to furnish their children with the items they need to return to school. In response, the Foothill Unity Center will be assisting these children with brand new backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoe cards, haircuts, manicures, books, and vision, dental and hearing screenings. New to this year’s event is a college area where representatives from 11 colleges will be promoting scholarships., financial aid and higher education.
The entire community shares in this annual effort, with more than 400 volunteers from businesses, schools and community groups. Including professional cosmetologists and over 100 cosmetology students from Citrus College will provide the children with haircuts and manicures. In addition, teachers and students from the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC providing dental screenings as well as vision screenings provided by Western University, Northwest University and TzuChi Foundation.
For example, the Monrovian family Restaurant will be providing lunch for the event’s volunteers; Panda Restaurant Group will be furnishing snacks for the children; interactive displays from the Harris Corporation and craft activities by Paint N ’Play Art Studio will be available along with many more. This event could not be possible without the generous support of community partners and community members.
There will be an official welcoming ceremony at 10:00 a.m. , hosted in the Chandelier Room of the venue. Sponsors and visiting dignitaries will be recognized as well as guided tours will be provided. Attendees should check in at the Media/Volunteer check in.
