Local Non-Profits Help Rochester Area Children Start The School Year Off Right

Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) was a packed house on Saturday, August 23, 2014. RARA was the site of KidzKare’s third annual Back to School Bonanza, a free health and wellness event for children on Medicaid or with no insurance. The Bonanza provided 617 children with free health screenings, school supplies, clothes, haircuts and educational activities. Everything that Rochester area non-profits believe a child needs to start the school year off healthy and ready to learn!

KidzKare, Inc., a local non-profit organization, partners with the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, the Rochester Area Neighborhood House (RANH), the Lions Club of Southeastern Michigan, RARA and many other local organization to help make the event a success year after year.

Founded by Dr. Jay Mitchell and Dr. Silvia Operti-Considine of Kidz1st Pediatrics, KidzKare was created because of the increase in medical and basic living needs of families in the Rochester area. “It is wonderful to realize that we are able to serve a large part of our population that doesn’t have access to health evaluations, school supplies and clothing,” explained Dr. Operti-Considine.

The Back to School Bonanza really is a community wide effort. From RANH providing all of the school supplies and the Assistance League providing all of the socks and underwear for children K through 6th grade, to all of the medical staff and organizations that volunteer their time and supplies.

“It is a joy to work with so many Rochester area partners, professionals and volunteers who pull together to create such a wonderful event. Special thanks goes to Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, Rochester Avon Recreation Authority, Five Star Singles Connection, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Oakland Optometry, RANH and Kidz1st Pediatrics for their exceptional dedication and support. We couldn’t do it without them!” states KidzKare President, Kathy Campbell.

As the children start packing up their new backpacks and heading to the classrooms, KidzKare will start planning their 2015 Back to School Bonanza. If you are interested in being part of next year’s Back-to-School Bonanza contact KidzKare, Inc. at KidzKareRochester@gmail.com to see how you can be involved!