Back-to-School Extravaganza and Backpack Drive Benefiting the Children of the Overtown Optimist Club

The Blue Lagoon Condominium team hosted a day-long Back-to-School Extravaganza and Backpack Drive on July 27 benefitting the Children of the Overtown Optimist Club. Executive assistants spent three weeks planning, coordinating, shopping, and packing bags for this event, and South Florida High-Rise associates volunteered their time to assist in-person.

We began the day introducing ourselves to the children, who in turn serenaded us with a song they’d been practicing (with instruments), and a thank you poster signed by all the children! After a rousing Zumba class with the kids, our associates served pizza and held an ice cream social, complete with birthday cake to celebrate summer birthdays. Children from another organization, Touching Miami with Love, joined during the meal, bringing our lunch party to more than 100! It was wonderful to see all the kids enjoy the time together.

We then handed out 88 backpacks to the Overtown Optimist Club kids (ages 4-13) filled with supplies and a yummy bag of snacks. At the end of the day, many of the children ran up to us, saying it was “the best day ever!” and “thank you for doing all of this for us!” The event was successful and rewarding for all volunteers involved, full of hugs, fist bumps, and high fives!

I’d like to thank fellow colleagues and team members who helped bring this day to life: Andrea Alvarez; Tom Amack; Lynn Coulter; Hannah Field; Kiara Gomez; Anthony Gragnano; Chris Hevia; Edwin Lugo; Ana Maria Navia; Paul Ohannessian; Viviana Reyes; Denis Rudnev; Michele Siegel; and Hector Vargas.

The Overtown Optimist Club is an organization providing year-round youth development to the children living in Overtown and surrounding areas. About 90% of the children that attend this program are from single parent, low-income homes, and many are living in shelters. While at the Club, they are able to participate in extra-curricular activities, complete their homework, eat a warm meal, socialize, and learn skills to help them in life. We are happy to support them!

July 27, 2022 | Miami, FL

FirstService Residential

Submitted by: Amber Daal, Executive Administrative Assistant