The Wellington Community Foundation hosted its successful Back-to-School Bash 2025 on Saturday, July 26 at the Wellington Community Center. The event was aimed at providing essential school supplies and support to Wellington students and their families.
With an impressive turnout of more than 450 students, this year’s event was a success, delivering backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, sneakers, socks, food and entertainment. Designed to ease the burden of back-to-school preparations, the event was a significant milestone for the foundation and the wider Wellington community, showcasing a spirit of collaboration, generosity and community engagement.
“The Back-to-School Bash 2025 was more than just a giveaway event, it was a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors, offering vital resources that enabled students to begin the school year with confidence,” said J.P. Varvarigos, a member of the foundation’s board of directors.
With continued community support, the Wellington Community Foundation aims to ensure that every child in need has the tools to thrive academically.
“The Wellington Community Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this event a resounding success,” WCF Vice Chair Pam Tahan said. “The impact of the Back-to-School Bash reached far beyond the distribution of materials — it also fostered a sense of community and support for the students and families who registered to attend.”
The event brought together local organizations, businesses and volunteers to ensure that every student was equipped with the tools needed for a successful academic year. With support from local donors, volunteers and sponsors, the Wellington Community Foundation was able to provide a wide range of supplies to students of all ages.
Among the key provisions were backpacks filled with essential school supplies, such as notebooks, ruled paper, index cards, glue, pens, pencils, pencil holders, crayons, scissors, binders and more. A variety of backpacks were available for different age groups, including patterned designs for elementary students, solid-colored options for middle schoolers and high school nylon bags. These backpacks were carefully selected to meet the needs of each grade level, ensuring that students of all ages received the necessary supplies to start their school year off right.
In addition to backpacks, the event also included new school uniforms for students in need, allowing them to have proper attire for the start of the academic year. New sneakers were another crucial item provided, particularly for elementary-aged students. This ensured that these students not only had the necessary school supplies, but also the appropriate footwear to carry them on their educational journey. Additionally, socks were provided for students, helping to complete their new outfits and ensure they were ready to start the year off in style.
The event also featured an array of fun entertainment options for families to enjoy, ensuring that the day was as much about community bonding as it was about giving. Four bounce houses provided hours of entertainment for children, while a rock wall added an extra thrill for those seeking an adventurous challenge. The family-friendly atmosphere was enhanced by the presence of a balloon artist and a face painter.
Food and beverages were a big hit at the event, with attendees enjoying delicious treats and snacks throughout the day. The Kona Ice truck was on hand to provide refreshing frozen treats, while Chik-fil-A offered a variety of sandwiches and gift cards to the families. Additionally, the foundation itself provided additional snacks to keep everyone fueled and energized as they enjoyed the festivities.
Logistical aspects were meticulously handled, ensuring a seamless and professional experience for all involved. Student ID labels were distributed to help attendees quickly identify their belongings and stay organized. Uniform bags and sneaker bags made it easy for families to transport their new items home. Custom signage displayed throughout the event ensured that attendees could easily navigate the venue and access the items they needed.
This event was made possible through the generosity of local donors, sponsors and volunteers, as well as the commitment of organizations such as the Rotary Club of Wellington, the Kiwanis Club of Wellington and the Village of Wellington.
“All of the support was amazing this year,” WCF Executive Director Dawn Rivera said. “We want to thank everyone, but we cannot go without saying what great support we received from the village’s Community Services Department, a key partner in the event, which also contributed to event signage and other logistical support. We have officially dubbed the Rotary Club of Wellington as one of our ‘power partners.’ I cannot think of a time over the last 10 years that the Rotary team did not turn out for our foundation, and for that we are grateful.”
The foundation looks forward to continuing its work with local organizations to create even more opportunities for families in need.
To learn more about the Wellington Community Foundation and upcoming events, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.
