On Saturday, August 15, 100 child-clients and their siblings received book bags full of school supplies at Kristi House’s annual Back-to-School Party. Thanks to the generous donors from throughout the community, we had enough book bags, school supplies, food, fun, and raffle prizes for everyone at the party, ensuring their successful start to the new academic year.

The event was a ton of fun, and everyone left with stuffed backpacks, arts and crafts souvenirs, delicious Papa John’s Pizza and Misha’s Cupcakes, and with a smile on their face. The children and families had a great time with the various activities: face painting, nail salon, Polaroid photo booth, magic scratch-off bookmarks, limbo, piñata, balloon animals, origami, and even a clown!

We would like to thank our individual donors for our Back-to-School Drive, and the following groups for their kind contributions: MDM Hotel Group/JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade College, La Bella Salon, Wells Fargo, Rex Art Supply, The Office Depot Foundation, Queens Circle 360, Misha’s Cupcakes and Papa John’s Pizza.

Without these generous donations, and the help of a big team of volunteers, the Back-to-School Drive and Party would not have been possible. A huge “Thank You!” to the Kristi House staff, who volunteered their time, and the following wonderful volunteers:

• Andres Amigo
• Janet Andrews
• John and Carol Curry
• Aubrey Chandler
• Bunny Fienberg
• Ana Galiano
• Evelyn Heil
• Sofia Hernandez
• Reggie Larios
• Fabiola Lopez
• Bibi and Maryam Moghani
• University of Miami Law School – HOPE Volunteer Team

These volunteers collected school supplies, created decorations, stuffed dozens of backpacks, served food, and engaged with the children during the party offering countless activities to ensure a good time for all.

The amount of happiness our volunteers and donors brought to our clients and their families was contagious. We could not have done it without your help. Thank you to everyone, your hard work helped ensure these kids are starting the school year off on the right foot.

University of Miami Law School HOPE Volunteers helped organize and sort school supplies, stuff backpacks, and tidy our playground area for activities. 

Thank you Miami-Dade College InterAmerican Campus, Association of Florida Colleges (AFC), Student Government Association (SGA), and Support Staff Council (SSC), for holding a school supply drive benefiting Kristi House.