West Augustine Community Leadership and Volunteerism on Display at the CRA Back-To-School Party

 

The West Augustine community came together to help families get ready for school at The Back To School Pool Party and Giveaway at the Solomon Calhoun Center hosted by the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency. 

The Back To School Pool Party has become an end-of-summer tradition in West Augustine, and not only did families and children from the area get free backpacks filled with school supplies, they were also provided with items such as shoes, clothes, and hygiene product.

 

 

This event was just as much about giving as it was about getting. The children attending the event were surrounded by people doing good, and it was clear that all volunteers attending the event were there because they wanted to help and give back to their community.

Volunteerism, community leadership, philanthropy and activism were the stars of the party. Everywhere you looked a volunteer or a community leader was helping someone, preparing food, directing volunteers or organizing donations.  

 

Representatives from Northeast Florida Community Action Agency giving away shoes.

St. Johns County Legal Aid was at the event assisting community members, and the team reminded everyone that they are just a phone call away.

 

 

St. Johns County Legal Aid managing attorney Megan Wall and attorney Gregory S. Redmon from Senior Counsel Attorneys at Law reaching out to the West Augustine community.

Families had the opportunity to sign up for The Emergency Broadband Benefits program from the FCC, which provided them with a tablet and wifi for a year, and other community organizations were at the event reaching out to families about community programs, community clean ups, health insurance and more. 

 

At the pool deck the beats were flowing, neighbors chatted, and the kids took turns having fun in the pool. Hotdogs and hamburgers were on the menu, and the children and their families enjoyed a lazy afternoon either in the water or under the shade covers.

 

 

The event showcased the hard work of several West Augustine community organizations, community leaders and residents, and families, children and young adults were eager to sign up to help out through organizations such as the student-led West Augustine Nature Society, which was at the event signing up volunteers and recruiting new students for their leadership committee. 

The West Augustine CRA got help from sponsors such as the Bailey Group as well as from many  churches and community organizations including the American Legion Post 194. The collaborations from so many corners of the greater St. Augustine area truly sparkled today through this community event, where volunteers of all ages and from all areas of the county came together to make this back-to-school event a success.

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