photos c/o Axxess
On Wednesday, August 7, 2017, Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, in partnership with Dallas Independent School District and title sponsor JCPenney, provided 3,000 new school uniforms valued at $150,000 to students from seven high need, Dallas Independent School District elementary schools. The Ellis Davis Field House was converted into a “pop-up shop” to provide a true shopping experience for students attending Carr Elementary, Jill Stone Elementary, Paul Dunbar Learning Center, Elisha Pease Elementary, Rice Elementary, McNair Elementary and JW Ray Elementary schools. Axxess hosted an arts and crafts and face painting station; DECA Dental provided dental screenings and services; Essilor Vision provided vision screenings and free glasses to students; JCPenney and San Francisco Barbers offered salon services and haircuts; Albertsons/Tom Thumb prepared lunch and gave healthy groceries for all families to take home; McDonalds provided books for each student, and The Dallas ISD Community Police Team was on-hand to visit with students and their families.
“This year’s back to school is event is the largest ever. We want as many children as we can reach to start the school year off right - with a healthy smile; glasses if they need them, fresh clean uniforms and a full belly of good and healthy food. Our sponsors and partners truly understand that to whom much is given, much is required; because of them we’re now in our fourth year of helping kids get off to a good start. And they continue to give because, like my wife Pat and myself, they believe in the power of a good education,” said Emmitt Smith.
Rock-T with The Ricky Smiley Morning Show led the program, energizing the crowd and getting them excited for their shopping experience. Emmitt Smith presented Dr. Sulman Ahmed with DECA Dental and Carol Roberts of Albertsons with an award of recognition for their dedication and support of the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities’ Back to School event over the last four years. Entertainment was provided throughout the day by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, and Dallas ISD’s Thomas Jefferson High School Modern Band and the David W. Carter High School Band.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support our local Dallas community during this important back-to-school season with our donation of school uniforms and free haircuts,” said Sherina Smith, vice president of loyalty and customer relationship management at JCPenney. “By ensuring kids have what they need for school to feel confident, we are helping to set them up for a successful school year.”
Other sponsors of the event included Ron and Essie Hill, Healthcare Highways, Axxess, Cigna, Albertsons/Tom Thumb, Shell and Waste management; and in kind sponsors IKEA, Two Men and a Truck, Big D Party Rental, and more than 100 volunteers from JCPenney, Axxess, Toyota and Fossil. To learn more about the work of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, visit http://www.emmittsmith.com/pat-and-emmitt-smith-charities
Don't miss your chance to help Pat & Emmitt raise funds to support the underserved children of North Texas at the Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo coming up Saturday, September 30 at Rough Rider Stadium in Frisco. The Gran Fondo courses are designed to accommodate the most avid of cyclists to the casual weekend rider. Emmitt Smith designed these routes with a nod to his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys by paying tribute to his football number, #22. There are five routes to choose from: the Gran Fondo-100 mile timed route with a $10,000 purse, a 100k, 45-mile, 22-mile route and the Cigna family ride. Participants and their families will want to stay after the ride to enjoy a post-race party complete with a beer garden, live entertainment, family activities and awards ceremony.
Disclaimer: Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities is a client of my advertising agency, Gangway Advertising. I may be biased, but I think the work they do is incredible and I am happy to use this platform to help spread their message of education and commitment to community.
