EVANSTON – This year’s Back to School Carnival, jointly assisted by the Evanston Youth Club, Evanston Regional Hospital and Walmart, was a huge success. The carnival was held at the junior club and ERH and Walmart set up donation areas for a few weeks before the start of the new school year.
ERH Marketing Director Erica Bailey, one of the organizers of the event, said: “I was amazed at the number of children who came.”
Youth Club CEO Holly Slade-West provided a brief history of the carnival. She commented via email, telling the Herald, “This marks the Evanston Youth Club’s third back-to-school carnival. The event aims to provide all children in Evanston with free school supplies and haircuts.”
Bailey said the supply drive and carnival form an important charity event each year.
“These students never get the chance to choose their own supplies,” she said. “Their living situation makes it difficult, and they end up with things from school or people. This city united to support the students who need us most.”
This year’s fundraiser, despite its unexpectedly crowded appearance, was not the youth club’s first impressive drive. According to Slade-West, the past two years’ fundraisers provided over 200 backpacks, as well as more supplies.
Volunteers awaited students at various stations with book bags, stationery, headphones and other supplies, all donated by the people of Evanston. Bailey thanked Champion Services, CWG Digital and the staff at Uinta Medical Group for providing a significant portion of the donations. Bailey said her co-workers went above and beyond, bringing in supplies every day.
“The team here is kind-hearted and generous,” she said. “That’s for sure.”
Hospital CEO Cheri Willard said she believes the event could have a significant impact on the students’ futures.
“The greatest thing we can do for our community is to prepare our youth to achieve greatness,” she said. “We are proud of our team members at both the clinic and the hospital, as well as the people of Evanston, for their generosity and dedication to the youth club students.”
When asked about this year’s tally, Bailey said, “We donated enough supplies, thanks to the collection at Walmart and the team at Evanston Regional and Uinta Medical Group, to fill 100 backpacks plus some.”
She called the participation an honor, also saying, “Knowing the team at Uinta Medical Group and Evanston Regional Hospital played a role in providing the backpacks and school supplies warms my heart. The Evanston community is truly great.”
Slade-West added, “We are very excited for all young people to have the opportunity to start school ready for success this year.”
