St. John’s ICARE Foundation Hosts their Seventh Annual Community & Back-to-School Wellness Event

Far Rockaway, New York, August 21, 2023 — St. John’s ICARE Foundation hosted its seventh annual Community & Back-to-School Wellness Event Friday, August 18th, on the grounds of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. Because of this event, hundreds of kids who may have gone without vital school supplies could start the school year with new backpacks filled with notebooks, folders, markers, crayons, and more. Parents, students, community members, healthcare organizations, and elected officials were all invited. The event distributed 600 backpacks with various school supplies to children and offered health screenings, pediatric wellness appointments, information on health insurance, and mental health services information for parents. Children also enjoyed participating in fun activities such as the basketball throw, story time with Donna’s Hope, featuring the book “I Want to Be,” and spinning the wheel for additional school supplies and copies of the book. They were also treated with snow cones to enjoy.

Because of this event, many sponsors and community partners, such as The National Grid and Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, handed out backpacks and other supplies. The Department of Public Service handed out coloring books on gas safety, and the EHS Mobile Unit provided health screenings and information pamphlets.

“We are so grateful to our sponsors and the numerous individuals who have supported our 7th annual Community & Back-to-School Wellness Event, said Nancy Leghart, Executive Director of The St. John’s ICARE Foundation. “ With each passing year, an increasing number of people demonstrate their deep concern for education, health, and wellness by contributing to the young students in the Rockaway community. Thank you to the generous individuals who purchased backpacks through our “Buy a Backpack” Campaign. We are thrilled with the outcome of this beautiful event.“

Thank you to the sponsors involved with this year’s annual event:

A + Entertainment Sponsor
Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

The 3 “R’s” Sponsors
Healthfirst, The Church of the Ascension – Rockville Centre, Annette & Daniel Kasle

Bus Stop Sponsors
National Grid, Kitty & Ed Lynch, The Episcopal Church of Grace and Resurrection, St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Lynbrook

Healthy Big Apple Sponsors
Karyn & Gerard Walsh, South Shore Pulmonary Medicine, The DeMatteis Family Foundation, ICON Contracting, St. David’s Episcopal Church

Community Partners
Beacon Rehab & Nursing, Donna’s HOPE, Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York Helping Hand Ministry, Department of Public Service