Voices for Children of Broward County Hosted Back-to-School Extravaganza at Old Navy

Back to school, back to saving the day! Voices for Children of Broward County (Voices) hosted its annual Back-to-School Extravaganza at Old Navy in Oakwood Plaza in Hollywood on Sunday, Aug. 2.  

The Back-to-School Extravaganza is a part of Voices’ year-long 15th anniversary celebration and expands its mission to ensure that every child and young adult in Broward County who has experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment has access to essential resources and programs that promote long-term stability and well-being.  

Over 70 children in foster care had the opportunity to shop for their back-to-school essentials alongside real-life superheroes, including Voices volunteers, Hollywood Police Department, City of Hollywood Fire Rescue & Beach Safety, Broward County Sheriff’s Office and beloved character entertainers Spider-Man, Disney Encanto’s Mirabel and K-pop stars Rumi and Mira.  

Families enjoyed a fun-filled morning, including breakfast, face painting, activities, and a surprise appearance by Florida Panthers Stanley C. Panther. DJ Aaron provided the soundtrack for the morning. Each child received brand-new clothes, a backpack full of first-day essentials and the reminder that their community sees them as the heroes they truly are. 

“The start of a new school year should feel exciting, not overwhelming, but for many children, showing up without the right supplies, clothing, or resources can make that first day feel out of reach,” said Voices President and CEO Erica Herman. “A backpack stocked with school supplies represents so much more than pencils and notebooks. It sends a powerful message to a child that they matter, that they are seen, and that someone is in their corner rooting for their success. The morning wouldn’t be possible without the support of Old Navy and our board members, donors and community partners who are committed to our mission and helped over 100 children go back to school prepared.”  

As many children in foster care move placements without essential supplies, Voices collects backpacks, school supplies, and monetary donations all year round to ensure school supplies are always available for those to feel prepared, supported, and excited for what is ahead. The community can help bring big smiles and bright futures to children in foster care by becoming a sponsor, making a monetary donation, hosting a donation drive, or purchasing supplies from Voices’ ongoing Amazon Wishlist. 

The Back-to-School Extravaganza is a part of Voices’ longstanding signature program, Dream Big Days, and is designed for children in foster care. Voices’ Dream Big Days is a transformative program designed to provide enriching experiences and core memory-making opportunities for children in foster care. Through a series of specially curated events and activities, Dream Big Days aims to broaden horizons, ignite curiosity, and foster personal growth among participants. These immersive experiences offer children the chance to explore new interests, discover hidden talents, and create lasting memories that transcend the challenges of their circumstances. 

Voices thanks its generous Back-to-School Extravaganza sponsors, including Pam Tindall; The Inglis Giving Fund; Home, Inc.; Broward County Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood Police Department; Hollywood Fire Rescue; Cooper City Women’s Club; Precious Dreams Foundation; Kindness Couture; Balloons Galore & More; Elite Photobooths; Media McCoy; DJ Aaron; B&B Catering; Fanatics; Genesis FC Football Club; The Fried Family; The Sullivan Family; Emily Wong-Swartz; Sarah Hartman; Claudia Petersen; Regina Wilcox and The Brooksy Group.