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Be Strong International, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families through healthy relationship education and community support, partnered with the Village of Palmetto Bay to host its annual Back-to-School Strong Drive-Thru Bookbag Distribution on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Held at 9705 E. Hibiscus Street, the event welcomed hundreds of families from across South Dade. More than 750 backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies were distributed to students from VPK through high school, helping to ease the financial burden of the back-to-school season. The event was open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Village of Palmetto Bay,” said Michelle Shirley, CEO of Be Strong International. “For over 30 years, we’ve been committed to serving our community, and today we’re thrilled to help children start the school year strong, surrounded by love and support.”
Mayor Karyn Cunningham of Palmetto Bay added, “I’m super excited to be here today with Be Strong International and so many amazing sponsors. This is what community looks like—helping one another. At the end of the day, if you’re not serving humanity, you’re not serving the community. Seeing the long line of cars and being able to help families firsthand is truly an honor.”
Defying the scorching heat, the event featured a festive atmosphere with music, joyful interactions, and appearances by beloved costume characters like Wonder Woman and Black Panther, creating a memorable experience for children and parents alike.
State Representative Omar Blanco also joined the event, offering his support and sharing valuable resources with families in attendance—further reinforcing the spirit of community collaboration. This impactful initiative was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of presenting sponsors: Amazon, World Kinect, and Kia South Dade. Additionally, more than 40 volunteers from various organizations dedicated their time and energy, showcasing the power of unity and service in creating meaningful change.
Be Strong International’s next public event is a Food Drive on Wednesday, August 14th at 9:00 AM at Joe and Enid Demps Park in Goulds. Volunteers are needed, please join Be Strong International by signing up here : https://www.bestrongintl.org/Volunteer/
For more information, visit www.bestrongintl.org or follow @bestrongintl on social media.
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