A Back To School Celebration for the Books!
The parking lot at Big Brothers Big Sisters was sizzling with excitement, and we saw smiles on attendee’s faces. This year’s Back to School Celebration was made possible by a special gift from Stryker, and the event was nothing short of amazing thanks to our generous donors, countless volunteers and all of the wonderful families who came out to kick off the new school year with us!
We gave away 180+ backpacks stuffed with school supplies thanks to Graphic Packaging, Alton Burns & Briana Kent, hygiene and essential items thanks to Kalamazoo Community Foundation & Nulty Insurance, bonus toys to choose from, hotdogs on the grill, 21 vendor stations, and a photo booth with silly props. This year’s Back to School Celebration was the best one yet!
MAKING CONNECTIONS
This celebration is always a unique time of year for the agency.
Littles and Bigs usually meet out in the community rather than onsite at Big Brothers Big Sisters, so this is one of the few times of year matches and families come together as a big group with our staff. It is a favorite event for the entire BBBS team.
A FUN AND SUN-FILLED EVENING
The entrance was a beautiful balloon display. Attendees danced and nodded their heads to the tunes of DJ Julian Hankins-Lloyd (JQHL Music) as they grabbed some food, stood in line for their backpacks, and walked around to each booth. Guests had the unique opportunity to say hi to KFC/KBP Foods‘ Chicken and enjoy their chicken nuggets, paint on canvas with BBBS staff for November’s Art Hop in Kalamazoo where the theme was ‘Paint your favorite thing about your match or match-to-be’, shoot a game of bow-and-arrow at air-suspended ping pong balls with Kalamazoo County 4-H, MSU Extension, get interviewed on camera by Envision Media, or win a gift card in the raffle to Culver’s, Dunham’s, Smoothie King, Airway Lanes, Burger King, and more, all while wishing our Littles and their families good luck in both their matches and in the upcoming school year.
Our very talented friends from Envision Advertising Design & Video Production captured the essence of the event on camera, seizing laughter, connection, and happiness in every photo. You can flip through their beautiful photos below!
Thank you to each of these organizations for the thoughtful activities you planned for the kids and all the ways you made the evening memorable:
The Kalamazoo Promise, ABA Pathways, Prevention Works, Gryphon Place, Kalamazoo Public Safety, Outfront Kalamazoo / Kalamazoo Pride, ASK Family Services, Landscape Forms, Nulty Insurance, Air Zoo, KBP FOODS/ KFC, First Day Shoe Fund, Advia Credit Union, Gazelle Sports, Kalamazoo County 4-H, MSU Extension, Zoo City Football Club, JQHL Music, Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services, YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, The Calhoun County Youth Violence Prevention Project (YVP) and S.A.F.E Place, and Premier Athletics.
A heartfelt thank you going out to the many partners who came together to make this event possible. Your support ensures our Littles and their families have a great start to their school year!
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