Back to school means much more than heavy traffic and the green light to visit the mall during the day. It means kids going back to educational institutions ill-equipped for the school year. Imagine going back homework without the latest Blackberry and a cold. Last Friday the City of Miami, Little Haiti Net, Green Family Foundation, Little Haiti Optimist Club, A+ Educational Mapping, Humana, and United For Haiti, Inc. came together to host Little Haiti’s 7^th annual Back to School event.

At the event 1,000 backpacks were given away along with school supplies and goodies for parents too! The City of Miami Fire Department was also on site providing water fun with their fire truck and CJ & Big Smile Party Rental donated bounce houses. Little Haiti Optimist joined forces with United for Haiti, Inc. to present a concert dedicated to the children of Haiti. The concert featured Smoky who performed hit single “I Know What Them Girls Like” and special Haiti tribute song “Somehow Someway”.

Educational character Patrick, from Get-a-patrick.com, entertained everyone with a magic show and games with great lessons. Miss Black Florida USA 2010 also attended the charity event to motivate the youth. She reminded the community to stay in school and dream big because “knowledge is power”.

Children were offered free tutoring information by A+ Educational Mapping. And the parents were equipped with health services information from Humana. If you’d like to be involved with any of aforementioned organizations, please contact The Little Haiti Optimist Club at 305-968-9310 or go to Littlehaitioptimist.org.