Lutheran Community Services Northwest teamed with the City of SeaTac to gets kids fired up for school. Thousands of free backpacks filled with school supplies were given out to students attending SeaTac area schools.

SeaTac, WA – Thousands of children from a wide variety of backgrounds took part in the City of SeaTac’s Back to School Fair Thursday, July 11 at the Valley Ridge Park on 188th St.

“For the past 10 years the Back to School Fair has provided critical support to ensure all our students are given the tools they need to be successful,” said SeaTac City Council
Member Tony Anderson. “It’s great to see the City of SeaTac community working together to do great things for the children attending SeaTac area schools.”

The SeaTac Back to School Fair was started so children are ready to learn, even if their families face financial barriers. Participating organizations make sure students have proper vision, nutritional, medical, dental and academic resources to succeed. Services at the fair included free:
•Dental checkups and sealants by Kids Cavity Prevention.
•Haircuts by 10 stylists from the Gene Juarez Academy.
•Scoliosis exams by Collins Chiropractic.

The fair featured variety and fun. Graham Trucking’s hydroplane simulator was a hit with the kids. The haircuts provided by Gene Juarez added style and flair to the event. Numerous nonprofits and business provided information and resources to help families and children.

“This is truly a great event. Ten years of success is a testament to the importance of the Back to School Fair,” Anderson said. “Supporting some of our most vulnerable kids in such a fun and inclusive way really speaks to the nature of the SeaTac community. I hope this event continues into the future. “

This year the BTSF committee and volunteers distributed approximately 2,100 backpacks filled with school supplies to Highline School District students. An estimated 3,000 people attended the fair.

2016 Back to School Fair Sponsors:
Corporate: Swedish Medical Center, Alaska Airlines, Matt Griffin YMCA, Coldwell Banker-Danforth & Associates, Recology/Cleanscapes, Molina Healthcare, Coordinated Care, United Healthcare-Community Plan, Community Health Plan of Washington, Amerigroup, Gene Juarez, Graham Trucking, Rontra Freight, Master Park and Collins Chiropractor
Foundation: Windermere Foundation
Non-Profit Collaborators: Angle Lake Neighborhood Church, Lutheran Community Service Northwest, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, World Vision and Kids Cavity Prevention
Civic: City of SeaTac, SeaTac Police Department, Highline School District, King County Library and City of SeaTac AFSCME 3830
Service Clubs: Duwamish Southside Rotary Club and Exchange Club of Highline

For more information, contact: Zac Eskenazi, Program Manager, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, (206) 816-3241 or zeskenazi@lcsnw.org