The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida Kicks Off the 16th Annual Adopt-A-Student Fundraiser

The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida is pleased to announce the kickoff of the Adopt-A-Student fundraiser in support of the 16th Annual Big Backpack Event, a back-to-school festival and school supply giveaway that will be held on Sunday, August 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m at Harborside Event Center. Each $10 donation will adopt-a-student for the 2015/2016 school year and provide them with a new backpack and school supplies that include notebook paper, folders, crayons, glue, pencils, and pens.

This annual event has become the largest back-­to-school outreach program in Lee County. Last year an estimated 15,000 people attended the event. Thousands of kids received free backpacks and school supplies thanks to the support of the many volunteers and sponsors. “There are many children and families in need in our community, and the more money we raise, the more help we can provide for them at the event,” says Leonardo Garcia, Founder of the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida.

For the past 15 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 35,000 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 bringing live multicultural entertainment on the main stage including Irish step dance, salsa and more.

Due to the overwhelming response, this year’s event will begin at 10 a.m. The line typically begins to form around the Harborside Event Center as early as 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.

“The support we receive each year from local businesses and individuals who partner with us to help these students and families is very much appreciated,” says Garcia. “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.”

For more information on how to adopt a student(s), or become an event sponsor, please go to www.multiculturalcentre.org.

Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida

The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida 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 culturally linking Southwest Florida with other communities around the world. For more information visit www.multiculturalcentre.org.

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