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Back to School in South L.A.

On August 20th, 2011 The Real Medicine Foundation partnered with Florence Western Medical Clinic to hold its first annual “Back to School” Event. Meeting the growing needs of the community along with addressing the challenge of promoting our outreach programs and services at the clinic, we were able to provide over 70 children with new backpacks filled with school supplies and personal hygiene products.

Photo above: Councilmember Bernard Parks with RMF CEO Dr. Martin Fuchs and RMF Director of Administration Sarah Stern

Personal donations and monies allocated by the 2011 LA Marathon “Athletes for Real Medicine” LA fund along with donations of supplies from Health Net, Northrop Grumman and Apple Care enabled us to ensure that every backpack would give the child a sense of dignity and excitement toward the upcoming school year. Los Angeles school systems unfortunately are unable to furnish children with the required materials, and the financial burden upon families can create a great deal of hardship.

Los Angeles Councilmember and former LA Police Chief, Bernard Parks, made a personal appearance at the event much to the crowd’s delight. Councilmember Parks’s office provided tables, and chairs as well as backpacks to assist with the estimated 70+ individuals that would be in attendance. LAPD cadets along with RMF volunteers and FWMC staff and friends all pitched in to oversee a variety of activities provided to the children. A group fitness exercise led by RMF’s Roz Baker gave parents an opportunity to see some of the programming that is available through our outreach programs, and the program’s sign -up sheets began to fill.
 

 At day’s end, volunteers gathered around to discuss the day’s events, and talks began about our upcoming Annual Holiday Party, held the 2nd weekend in December. As awareness grows within the community about our programs, so does the need for funding. Looking forward to next year’s event, Real Medicine hopes to expand upon the event by providing shoes, clothing and lunch boxes along with the backpacks. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or in sponsoring a child for either our “4th Annual Holiday Party” in December or next year’s “Back to School Event”, please contact sarah@realmedicinefoundation.org