JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Ascension St. Vincent\u2019s Arlington Emergency Care held its annual back-to-school community giveaway Saturday morning, handing out backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, helmets and offering activities for children.<\/p>\n
The event, one of the hospital group\u2019s biggest of the year, helped an estimated 150 to 200 children.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling to be able to give back to the community,\u201d said Missy Grubb, emergency freestanding manager at Ascension St. Vincent\u2019s Arlington.<\/p>\n
Grubb added that Ascension St. Vincent\u2019s aims to support families beyond medicine.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we\u2019re always here to help care for their medical needs, but to be able to help in other ways – financial issues, being able to help give these kids a great success for their year back,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Parents who attended said the event made preparing for the first day of school easier.<\/p>\n
Nonyalen Padrigan, whose son is entering second grade, said beating the heat was worth it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate this. It\u2019s really a big help for us families with kids,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to buy those other supplies \u2014 we\u2019re getting them free.\u201d<\/p>\n