Back To School: Here Are Some Events To Help Students Get Ready

POLK COUNTY, FL -- With the new school year just around the corner, organizations are offering events to help students get ready.

Back to School Snack Pack

When: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 3-4 p.m.
Where: Carrington Place Community Room, 1411 Kettles Ave., Lakeland
What: Gear up for school, and get ideas on how to fuel your kids with healthy snacks that are affordable, easy, and delicious with this free event from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Family and Consumer Sciences. There will also be food demonstrations.
Contact: 863-519-1041, andreanikolai@ufl.edu

Rock the Block

When: Friday, Aug. 10-Sunday, Aug. 12, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Harvest Church Lakeland, 2120 Airport Road, Lakeland
What: Bring the entire family to this free community event featuring giveaways, free backpacks, free haircuts, a health fair, hot dogs, cotton candy, bounce houses and more.
Contact: (863) 682-7000

Party at the Pool

When: Saturday, Aug. , 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Spence Park, N.E. 1st St., Mulberry
What: Kick off the start of school with a Moana meet and greet, waterslides and pool fun.
Contact: (863) 393-8166

Lake Eva Back-to-School Bash

When: Saturday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Lake Eva Banquet Hall, 799 Johns Ave., Haines City
What: This free community event will include: free backpacks, haircuts and food as well as bouncy houses, guest speakers and a special appearance by Smart Mouth’s Jason Alexander.
Contact: (863) 438-2758

Belk Charity Sale

When: Saturday, Aug. 25, 6-10 a.m.
Where: Belk, 1400 Town Center Drive, Lakeland
What: The Belk Charity Sale is a private sale dedicated to supporting local nonprofits. The Learning Resource Center as well as other participating charities and schools will have the opportunity to raise money by selling $5 tickets and keeping 100 percent of ticket proceeds. Ticket holders will receive 20 to 70 percent off of Belk purchases storewide, including special savings on rarely discounted brands plus $5 off their purchase. The presale takes place Aug. 13-24. Stop into the Learning Resource Center (1628 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland) to pick up your tickets.

School Supply Drive

When: Through Wednesday, Aug. 8

Where: Miracle Toyota, 37048 US-27, Haines City

What: Miracle Toyota in Haines City is planning to donate 1,500 backpacks to children in Haines City. The dealership has worked with Bethune Academy, Trinity Worship Center and Church Manantial de Bendiciones over the years to make sure students are equipped for success. This year, the dealership will donate additional backpacks for each car that’s sold, but it welcomes donations of backpacks or school supplies from those not looking to buy a car, as well.

Stuff the Bus

Stuff the Bus is Central Florida’s largest back-to-school campaign. In addition to the traditional school supplies that are needed such as pens, pencils, wide rule paper, folders with prongs, crayons, markers, backpacks, glue and erasers, you may also donate copy paper, facial tissue, index cards, highlighters, hand sanitizer, zip- ock bags and pencil boxes.

Donations will be accepted:

* Aug. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hall Communications, 404 W. Lime St., Lakeland

* Through Sunday, Aug. 5 at Victory Church, 1401 Griffin Road, Lakeland

* Through Aug. 17 at the Bartow Chamber of Commerce, 510 N. Broadway Ave. in Bartow

Legoland School Supply Drive

When: Through August

Where: Legoland Florida, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven

What: Amusement park visitors are encouraged to bring new and unopened school supplies to donate to homeless students at Polk County Public Schools through the Homeless Education Advocates Restoring the Hope program.

If you have an event you'd like to add, contact editor D'Ann Lawrence White at dann.white@patch.com.

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