St. John’s ICARE Back-to-School event draws hundreds to Rockaway YMCA

Far Rockaway, New York, September 23, 2022 — It’s time for back to school! On Friday, August 19, St. John’s ICARE Foundation partnered with the Rockaway YMCA to host its 6^th Annual Community and Back-to-School Wellness “Grab and Go” Event.

The annual event provided school supplies, health screenings and health education to more than 600 children in need on the Peninsula.

Hundreds of kids who may have gone without vital school supplies were able to start the school year with new backpacks filled with notebooks, folders, markers, crayons and more.

“It is always a joy to see the community come together to support kids and education,” said Nancy Leghart, Executive Director of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation. Leghart said. “At St. John’s we know that healthy health habits is the best back to school supply.”

More than 50 individuals and organizations donated to the back-to-school wellness “grab and go” event to help purchase backpacks and school supplies.

Thank you to the event’s generous donors:

• A+ Sponsor – Jzanus, Ltd.
• The 3 “R’s” Sponsors – Richard M. Brodksy Foundation, The Lynch Family
• Bus Stop Safety Sponsors – The Dematteis Family, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, The Kasle Family
• Healthy Big Apple Sponsors – Bertrand Batista, ICON Contracting, LLC, Karyn and Gerard M. Walsh
• School Supply Sponsors – Rosabella Backus “Better World Project: Backpacks for Kids”, Beacon Rehab and Nursing Center, Grace Church Whitestone, Healthfirst, National Grid (Donated school supplies)
• Wellness Sponsor – Dental365 (Donated youth dental kits and tote bags)