Back to School Slam Dunk Bash
Friday July 31, 2009
In an effort to help parents and kids prepare for school, a special back to school event will be held this Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Amway Arena. From 10 am to 2 pm take advantage of free:
- Back Packs
- School Supplies
- Hair Cuts
- Back to School Immunization Shots*
- Back to School Physicals*
*Free Immunizations and Physicals must be scheduled in advance at online or by calling 1-866-229-6383.
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Comments
4,000 plus children & families stood in line in the hot August sun for upwards of 2 to 3 hours with no water only to be told at 11 am (event was from 10-2pm)that there are “no more school supplies, no more backpacks.” So those 4,000+ went away, disgusted. The event was poorly planned and executed. Shame on the event manager and sponsors who stayed inside in the air conditiioning and were unaware of the drama taking place outside. The line wrapped from one side of the arena, around Paramore Avenue, back to the other side of the arena, down the parking lot, up to the last door. People were let in one by one. More than 8,000 showed up…only 50% received anything. The rest felt like fools to have stood for 2 to 3 hours in the heat.
I must admit the event was not prepared for the # of people that showed up. I also feel is was not planned out. There were many people walking around trying to get to the right booths and their was alot of blockage.
I got there at 9am and did not get in until 10:30am. It was very how and when you have young kids this isn’t a good mix. Many of us who showed and pateintly waited to get inside. We difintly were not prepared for the waite either.
We were praying it would rain on us.
Many will ask why stay in such conditions. Simply put we have no choice. If we don’t wait our kids have no supplies. At least that is what we thought. We all thought it was worth the wait. Many of us thought this was a blessing.
How ever I went away from the event with 2 pencils and 2 notepads from office max. (Thank You offic Max)
Maybe next time it would be best if personel tell us ahead of time their is no more to give. Many of will understand. We will take our children home and hope for the better.
I did not think it was nessesarry to keep everyone waiting out side in line then go inside to walk around trying to find out where to go and that line is what. Then wait in them only to finally get to the front and be told there is no more to give.
Although I was very disapointed in the way this was poorly planned. I do appriciate that this event is in place and although many of us didn’t get anything for our kids. There were those who did recieve the much needed supplies.
Maybe this will help me for next time and I will be bettered prepared myself.
I am sooo surprised how this event happen this,Last Year was never like that it was more organize and full of FUN!!!!,This year wasn’t,ppl. was in line burning up in the heat to hear NO MORE SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!!
I think it is the econemy, the prior two years the event was great, I heard that this year that they are going to let everyon in the arena at the same time,
Yes I herd the same, all folks will be let right in at the west side of the arena. I was told that the event grew by 60% last year and that the event folks were prepared for a 10% after years of experience doing the event. They said that by 9:30 that 10,000 tickets for back packs were given out. One of the event people were in tears and really said everyone does care deeply for us and our neighbors. Wow, what a tough econemy but at lest someone is trying to help.