18TH ANNUAL MAYOR’S BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR AUGUST 1

A one-stop shop designed to equip families with the back-to-school basics, the 18th-annual Mayor’s Back To School Fair, presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, will take place Friday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Automobile and Centennial buildings at Fair
Park.

Many parents agree that costs can quickly add up when preparing children for the first day of school. That’s why so many community supporters continue to come together every year to help students and families with their school-related needs at the Mayor’s Back To School Fair. From free school supplies for Dallas schoolchildren (who meet specific eligibility requirements), to free health, dental and vision screenings, immunizations and haircuts, to the latest information on education, health and social services, the 18th-annual Fair offers parents and children everything they need for the first day of school. Plus, the Fair will feature musical entertainment, kids activities, games, interactive demos and more.

“The Mayor’s Back to School Fair helps thousands of Dallas families prepare so children are ready to learn the very first day of school,” said Mayor Rawlings. “Our thanks go to the donors, nonprofit partners, schools, media sponsors and volunteers who step up every year to support students and education in Dallas.”

Walmart will conduct free vision screenings and offer general health screenings, including blood pressure and glucose checks, for all family members. The Baylor School of Dentistry will provide free dental screenings, fluoride applications, free toothbrushes and toothpaste to students, and offer free oral health information. Dallas County Health & Human Services will provide free immunizations. And Cedric B’s Barber and Beauty Salon and Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails will offer free haircuts so children will look sharp the first day of school.

“On behalf of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, we are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair which impacts so many children in the Dallas area as they get ready to head back to school in the fall,” said Mike Hart, Walmart Market Manager. “Walmart is passionate about helping people live better and making a positive impact where we live and work. We know this event will help thousands of Dallas children and their families get what they need to have a great start to the school year.”

In addition, Half Price Books will donate more than 7,000 books. North Texas Food Bank is partnering with Walmart to provide fresh fruit for families.

Educational information and services, in English and Spanish, will be offered at hundreds of community resource booths on crime prevention, fire safety, college readiness, housing, transportation, personal finances, health, nutrition and literacy. Dallas ISD will provide information on magnet schools, scholarship and alternative programs, psychological and social services, parenting, and family literacy. Eligible families who qualify for free school supplies are encouraged to pre-register by mail or in person at one of the remaining pre-registration events (see list of events below).

IMPORTANT: Although the Fair’s array of activities and services are free and open to the public, free school supplies are available ONLY to those who meet specific eligibility requirements (must be public school students pre-K through 12th grades who reside in the City of Dallas or attend a Dallas ISD school and meet the 2013 Federal PovertyIncome Guidelines). A PHOTO ID, PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND PROOF OF INCOME ARE REQUIRED TO QUALIFY.

Picture ID includes state driver’s license, state identification card, military identification card, or foreign consulate-issued identification (i.e. Matricula Consular). City of Dallas proof of residency includes May, June, July or August 2014 utility bill (electricity, water, phone or gas) showing applicant name and current address or letter from landlord or apartment management company, on company letterhead, indicating proof of residency during May, June, July or August 2014.

Proof of Income may be verified using paycheck stubs from May, June, July or August 2014 or a letter dated in May, June, July or August 2014 on agency or company letterhead from an employer, welfare office, caseworker, or Social Security Administration Office indicating annual income and signed by an agent of the company or agency. Letter must include contact phone number for verification. Other qualifying documents include a Medicaid letter, Lone Star Program Card and a Dallas ISD letter indicating qualification for free lunch program.

Presenting sponsors are Walmart/Sam’s Club, and major sponsors are Chase and United Methodist Church of North Texas. Other sponsors are Action Metals Recyclers, Aetna Foundation, Amerigroup, Baylor Scott & White Health, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Clean Energy Fuels, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Dallas Mavericks Foundation, Fast Signs, Fidelity Investments, H&R Block, Half Price Books, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities, Methodist Health System, State Fair of Texas, Texas Instruments, and TXU Energy.

Donors are Carol and Steve Aaron, Judy and Phillip Askew, Emy Lou and Jerry Baldridge, Lucy and Henry Billingsley, Randal Brown, CBRE, Mara and David Deniger, Gina and Scott K. Ginsburg, Boardwalk Auto Group, Al G. Hill, Jr., Herb Kelleher, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Lisa and Peter Kraus, Lincoln Property Company, Sarah and Alan Losinger, Mankoff Family Foundation, Honorable Anita N. Martinez, Alice and Erle Nye, Peter O’Donnell, Jr., Sam Pack, Margot and Ross Perot, Aileen & Jack Pratt Foundation, Deedie and Rusty Rose, Mrs. Harold Simmons, Gay and Bill Solomon, Mary and Mike Terry, and Shannon S. Wynne.

Community partners are Baylor College of Dentistry Texas A&M Health Science Center; Cedric B’s Barber and Beauty Salon; City of Dallas; Dallas County Health and Human Services; Dallas ISD; Mayor’s Youth Fitness Initiative; and Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails. Media partners are WFAA, Univision 23, Al Dia, The Greensheet, K104, Smooth R&B 105.7, Radio Disney, 94.1 A Uforia Station, 107.9 A Uforia Station, 97.9 The Beat and KSoul 94.5. DART is the official transportation provider. Focusing on helping students with many of their school-related needs, the Mayor’s Back To School Fair is a collaborative effort between the City of Dallas, Dallas area schools, public health departments, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporations and hundreds of volunteers.

The Mayor’s Back To School Fair is free and open to the public. Parking is also free, or visitors can take the DART Rail Green Line to the Fair Park or MLK, Jr. station. Fair Park is located at 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210.

For more information, please call the City of Dallas information line at 311 or go to mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com for details in English and Spanish.