MLK Back to School Fair set for August 19

By: Natashia Cooper

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will assist families with their back to school needs during the annual MLK Back to School Fair on Friday, August 19, 2016 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the MLK Recreation Center.

This is a free event providing school supplies, haircuts, hairstyles, uniforms and more to school age children in Dallas. Health and information vendors will be present and medical screenings will be available at the Foremost Family Health Center.

This is a collaborative effort between the City of Dallas, agencies within the MLK, Jr. Community Center complex, community partners, and nonprofits to be a one-stop shop for parents getting ready for the new school year.

No registration is required, but parents must present a valid ID and kids receiving school supplies must be present.

In the past, this event has assisted more than 1000 families with school-related needs. The MLK Center hopes to exceed that number this year with increased support from donors and sponsors.

Pamela Davis is an Administrator at the MLK Center who helped coordinate the event. “This is a fun event and a great opportunity for parents and kids to get what they need to start the school year off right,” Davis said.

“We believe that education is important,” Davis says, “and we want to ensure that students are well-prepared for school.”

Walter Hall, the new Coordinator at the MLK Recreation Center, is also excited about collaborating on this event. “My job is to bring the community together which we are doing on Wednesday, August 17th, at the ‘Family Night: Community Basketball Game.’ It’s a game between the MLK Center staff and local community organizations. The entry fee is one canned good or school supply item, which will be donated back the MLK Center,” Hall said.

Sponsors of the MLK Back to School Fair include the City of Dallas, Dallas Parks and Recreation, FedEx Freight, Single Parent Advocate, Meme G. Salon, Preparing People Barber and Styling College, BB&T Bank, and Niagara Bottling.

For more information about becoming a vendor or sponsor, visit www.mlkcelebrationdallas.org or call 214-670-8418.