Although summer has just begun for most students, the team at KidzKare Inc. has already begun planning for the next school year.
KidzKare, a local nonprofit, is in the process of organizing its annual Back-to-School Bonanza, a free health and wellness event for low-income families planned for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 27 at West Middle School, 500 Old Perch Road in Rochester Hills.
In its first four years, Back-to-School Bonanza partners and volunteers provided more than 2,200 children with more than $330,000 in donated goods and services, according to event coordinator John Batdorf.
“The problem of suburban poverty is really not getting much attention,” Batdorf said. “Dr. Jay Mitchell is really interested in highlighting it and bringing it to the attention of people in the area, because the area has a lot of resources that could be applied to the problem. People who are in poverty in the suburban area, at least in Rochester, have a really good chance of getting out of poverty. It is a much higher percentage than people who are experiencing poverty in an urban area, so making an effort does make a difference.”
Mitchell — the pediatrician who founded KidzKare and retired last year from his practice to work full time with KidzKare programs — said the event really aims to give kids from low-income families in the area everything they need to go back to school.
Despite Rochester’s improving economy and reputation as a wealthy region, Mitchell said the number of families who need this type of support in the area continues to grow. In fact, he said that more than 15 percent of students in Rochester Community Schools qualify for some type of state and/or federal financial assistance.
“In Rochester, what we are seeing is it’s got one of the highest growth rates of poverty in the state of Michigan because we offer so much here. There is economic opportunity, there are educational opportunities and there is safety, so many people are moving — whether it is from India, Indiana or Inkster — to this area. … The problem is, they pay a price by not having good housing, by not having healthy food and by not taking care of their health. That is really what this event is meant to provide for those folks,” Mitchell explained.
The Back-to-School Bonanza relies on over 100 volunteers and dozens of partners, including the Rochester Area Neighborhood House and the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, each year. Mitchell said partners provide school supplies; clothing; haircuts; well-child exams; dental, vision and hearing screenings; and program information and education on physical, emotional and social health. He said every effort is made to make the event fun for kids, with many partners offering entertainment such as face painting, educational games, music and recreation, as well as healthy snacks and drinks.
Mitchell encouraged businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and individuals interested in making an impact on the lives of hundreds of financially disadvantaged children — and those who can help make the event possible through their financial support — to visit www.kidzkare.net/bonanza-participate for details on sponsoring, partnering and/or volunteering.
Admission to the event is limited to 500 children ages 4-18 and their parents/guardians. The children must be on Medicaid or be underinsured, and must live in Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Auburn Hills or Addison Township. Pre-registered attendees will be admitted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Unregistered attendees who meet the listed eligibility criteria will be admitted based on availability noon-2 p.m. Online registration is available at www.kidzkare.net by clicking “Bonanza.”
For more information, contact KidzKare at info@kidzkare.net or at (248) 505-3522.
