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Back To School Bash Brings Needed Services to Bithlo Kids

Sunday, August 11th, more than 800 kids in Bithlo are expected pick up school supplies - and get a health check-up at the Back to School Health Fair Bash. It's part of a broader effort to bring health care - and even jobs to the East Orange County community

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Residents in Bithlo have long struggled with things like health care and dental care in part because of the community’s remote location. But this Sunday’s Back to School Health Fair Bash shows things are changing.  And it’s happening through multiple collaborations and a lot of volunteer efforts. Florida Hospital’s Verbelee Neilsen-Swanson says the hospital has teamed up with United Global Outreach, the Orange County Health department and several community organizations for the back to school bash.

“We understand that they are in kind of a remote area, and we just want to make sure they have the same services and are able to have the school supplies and the physicals and the immunizations to be able to go back to school,” she says.

Kids can pick up backpacks and other school items, and get a hair cut at the Bithlo Community Center- but perhaps even more important they can get their teeth, eyes and overall health checked. This is the third year for the Back to School Health Fair Bash, which is part of an effort to bring dental care, health care and even jobs to the historically impoverished community.

 

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