Davey’s Back-to-School Shuffle Draws More Than 3,200 people

(Wise, Va.) – The Health Wagon celebrates another record-breaking year for the 5th Annual Davey’s Back-to-School Shuffle, held July 30 at the Shelcy Mullins Sr. Fairgrounds. Some 3,200 community members attended, with 2,007 children and parents served through an extraordinary day of giving, joy, and preparation for the school year. The event distributed backpacks filled with school supplies, brand-new clothing, shoes, toys, and essentials. Highlights included: ·Over 1,000 backpacks with supplies given away valued at $50,000, More than $7,000 worth of new bicycles and toys given away, $275,284 in brand new merchandise including shoes, hygiene items, makeup, baby essentials, household and personal items, 1360 food boxes from Feeding Southwest Va. valued at $48,548. “This event continues to grow every year, and the impact we witnessed this year was extraordinary,” said Dr. Teresa Tyson, CEO of The Health Wagon. “We are deeply grateful to the volunteers, sponsors, and community partners who came together to help children start the school year with confidence and joy.” The Shuffle, held in memory of David Meade, former Development Officer of The Health Wagon, featured music, dancing, games, and family fun alongside the large-scale distribution. Families enjoyed food, entertainment, raffles, and the much-anticipated Davey’s Shuffle dance contest, making the day one of both celebration and community support. “This is more than a back-to-school giveaway,” added Dr. Paula Hill-Collins, COO of The Health Wagon. “It’s a day that honors David’s legacy by uplifting children and families across our region. We are truly humbled by the generosity shown.” Hill-Collins thanked Feeding Southwest Virginia, Anthem Health Keepers, Natural Resources and Adrian Collins Law as major sponsors. She also thanked the Gideons for distributing 685 New Testaments. The Health Wagon extends thanks to its sponsors, churches, volunteers, and local businesses whose donations—ranging from school supplies and clothing to bicycles and household items—made the Shuffle a reality. The event is a cornerstone of The Health Wagon’s mission to address social determinants of health by ensuring families have access to not just healthcare, but the resources needed for well-being and success. For more information on Davey’s Shuffle or to learn how to become a sponsor or volunteer, please visit https://thehealthwagon.networkforgood.com/projects/223811-2024-davey-s-back-to-school-shuffle or call 276-328-8850. About the Health Wagon: The Health Wagon is a nurse practitioner managed clinic that has been in existence since 1980 which provides free medical, dental and vision health care services in Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Washington Counties and Norton City. For more information about The Health Wagon, please call 276-328-8850 or visit www.thehealthwagon.org. If you would like to donate to the Health Wagon, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please visit: www.thehealthwagon.org/donate. Photo: More than 3,200 community members attended the Davey’s Shuffle Back to School Shuffle event July 30 at Shelcy Mullins, Sr. Fairgrounds in Wise, Va.  Miss Virginia-Kentucky District Fair, Journee Drue Perry, celebrates with a young winner of a new bicycle.