Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 8-5-22

Feature
Children With A Vision Will Hold 23rd Annual Back To School Event
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Parents and community members get ready – Chil- dren With A Vision, Inc. will hold their 23rd Annual Back To School Giveaway and Health Fair. The event will take place at Ragan Park Community Center on Sun- day, August 07, 2022, from noon until 6:00 p.m.
Founder and CEO, Tonya Lewis stated that she is thankful for all the sponsors, partners and donors for over 30 years making this Annual Back-
pack Giveaway a success. Although this will be the 23rd Annual event, Mrs. Lewis has been putting on a
BTS giveaway for 30 years. “This event attracts hun- dreds of children and their families from across Bay Area for a day of old school fun. There will be plenty of games that will give the kids and adults a lot of physical exercise,” says Mrs. Lewis. This year’s event will fea- ture elected officials, the Hillsborough County Sher- iff, the Tampa Fire Depart- ment, Visit Tampa Bay, Pricewaterhouse Coopers
TONYA LEWIS
and a host of collaborative partnerships.
There will also be special guest appearances including recording artist Alex Harris, and Jaxon Productions.
Costumers With A Cause will provide live costume characters to interact with the children. Over 40 ven- dors will provide vital re- sources to families
Lucky attendees will get a free photo to take home with them. They can also partici- pate in gas card raffles, gro- cery box giveaways, and free food for the entire duration of the event.
Health Matters Pharmacy will be providing free Covid- 19 vaccines and booster shots on location.
Tampa Police Depart- ment will be present to en- sure the safety of the community for this family oriented environment.
Mrs. Lewis stated that the supplies will be distrib- uted on a first-come, first- served basis while supplies last.
Each child must have an
adult with them. Parents are encouraged to bring their own blanket and chairs to enjoy festivities and LIVE concert. Mrs. Lewis asks attendees to not block neigh- borhood driveways.
When asked why she does this annual event, Mrs. Lewis says, “I do it because I was that child. I remember walking with my mother to get school supplies and there weren’t any. I don’t want any child to feel left out, or less than because of their eco- nomic situation.”
“I remember skipping school because I was so em- barrassed by not having the supplies for school and hav- ing to dress in Salvation Army clothes. That is why I started Children With A Vi- sion. Because I want to en- sure that our children don’t go without.”
For more information, Call Mrs. Tonya Lewis at 813-235-5656 or email: chil- drenwithavisioninc@yahoo. com.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERYFRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022