Comes to Harborside Event Center on Sunday, July 21, 2013, from 11 a.m.– 3p.m.
The first 2,000 students ages 5-12 will receive free backpacks and school supplies
The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida presents the 14th Annual Big Backpack Event to celebrate back-to-school and diversity in our community. The event will be held Sunday, July 21 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.
For the past 14 years the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida has been hosting this popular community outreach event that to date has has provided new backpacks and school supplies to near 30,000 students over the years. The event lends a helping hand to students and families in need, as well as, celebrates the diversity in Southwest Florida with live multicultural entertainment on the main stage including Irish step dance, salsa and more.
The event draws an estimated crowd of 15,000 people each year. Although the event begins at 11 a.m., the line begins to form around Harborside Event Center as early at 7 a.m. The first 2,000 students ages 5-12 will receive free backpacks and school supplies. Parents or guardians must bring their school age children in order to receive the free supplies. Thanks to sponsors and vendors, students may also receive eye exams, haircuts, and other fun giveaways at the event while supplies last. Families will enjoy other event festivities such as face painting, inflatable slide & bounce house, clowns, and live entertainment.
“We are so very appreciative of the support we receive from local businesses and individuals who partner with us each year to support students and families in need,” says Leonardo Garcia, co-founder of the Multicultural Centre of SWFL. He adds, “Thanks to the support of sponsors and our dedicated event committee, we hope to help more than 2,000 students with their back-to-school needs again this year.”
Sponsors for this year’s event includes Walmart, Harborside Event Center, City of Fort Myers, Lee County Public School Principals, Pendas Law Firm, Jason’s Deli, CONRIC PR & Marketing, Fuller Online Solutions, Univision, D’Latinos, Nuevos Ecos, Lee Family News, News-Press Media Group, Beasley Broadcasting, Azteca America, and HABA.
Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida
The Multicultural Centre is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization established in Fort Myers with the purpose of promoting programs aimed at bringing people of different cultures together and of culturally linking Southwest Florida with other communities around the world. For more information visit http://www.multiculturalcentre.org.