Branches’ Back to School Bash helps 550 students
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Branches celebrated a decade of impact at its 10th annual Back to School Bash on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the University of Miami Newman Alumni Center, bringing more than 200 business and community leaders out for an evening of service in support of 550 local students.
During the milestone event, guests packed backpacks with essential school supplies for students participating in Branches’ educational programs, helping ensure they enter the new school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
For the past 10 years, Branches’ Back to School Bash has mobilized South Florida’s business and philanthropic communities to help ease the financial burden that back-to-school expenses can place on hardworking families. This year’s event continued that tradition while celebrating a decade of community investment in the success of local children and youth.
“Celebrating 10 years of the Back to School Bash is an incredible reminder of what can happen when our community invests in the potential of our students,” said Brent McLaughlin, Branches president and CEO. “Because of the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, 550 students will walk into their classrooms with the supplies they need and the confidence of knowing their community believes in them.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this milestone possible.”
The evening featured networking, music, refreshments, and hands-on volunteerism as attendees worked to fill hundreds of backpacks for distribution to Branches students before the start of the school year. In addition, Branches honored two incredible volunteers, Tomy and Jack Edwards, who received the 2026 Herbert C. Parlato Volunteer Award, celebrating their years of extraordinary service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Branches.
The Back to School Bash was made possible by sponsors including:
“Gold Star” Sponsors: Banesco, Baptist Health, Bradesco, The Caravetta Heaven’s Helpers Foundation, Jeannette Coto Dou and Remy Dou, Juneau Construction Company, Lori Bean Automotive Group, Santander Bank and Templeton Family Foundation.
“Best Friend” Sponsors: Aetna Better Health of Florida, Amazon, Amerant Bank, Aramark, BB Americas, Bilzin Sumberg, Coastal Construction, Dade County Federal Credit Union, First Bank, Humana, Kathy and Scott Howard and St. John’s on the Lake.
For more information, visit branchesfl.org/2026back2schoolbash/ or contact Isabelle Pike at 305-206-5689 or ipike@branchesfl.org.
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