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Collective commitment showcased during fourth annual Back-to-School Block Party

Group of kids looking at a computer with teacher
Parent receiving donated backpack
Student receiving donated school supplies
Overhead view of crowd
Hair stylist fixing student's hair
School sign
Donation tables
group of students holding signs
women holding up donated backpacks
Teacher welcoming parent and student, joyfully
Collective commitment showcased during fourth annual Back-to-School Block Party

Bellingham Public Schools hosted our fourth annual Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, August 24 at Bellingham High School.

This event reflects the vision of The Bellingham Promise in making a collective commitment to Bellingham’s children, evidenced through the widespread support and enthusiasm throughout the day.

Each school in BPS was represented with a table in the BHS Commons, while community partners filled the gym with table stations to share program information and resources. Multilingual students representing several languages were on site to provide translation support.

Approximately 500 families attended and were welcomed with many free backpacks, books, haircuts, health services and more along with complimentary food trucks outside.

A quick snapshot of data following the event indicated the following services:

  • 71 onsite sports physicals provided by four different doctors,
  • 15 childhood vaccines dispensed,
  • Hundreds of backpacks and free books,
  • 50 haircuts completed, and
  • 540 slices of pizza, 580 tacos and 350 hot dogs served

Thank you to the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, the Project Neighborly Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation, BECU, Molina Healthcare and PeaceHealth for financial support of this back-to-school readiness event.

  • Community in Action
  • Healthy, Active Individuals