This Saturday, July 25, the American Lung Association, alongside presenting sponsor Walmart, will help local students start the school year strong by hosting its fourth annual Backpacks for Bright Futures event at James Simons Montessori School.
Students in grades 3K-12 from any area school are welcome to attend and receive a free backpack filled with school supplies, as well as asthma and vape-free education resources in English or Spanish. The event is first come, first served and will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The Lung Association distributed 750 backpacks at last year's event and will provide another 750 this year.
Attendees can connect with medical professionals about lung health, asthma, tobacco use and vaping, and enjoy a community resource fair featuring local partners Walmart, Synovus, MUSC, the Lowcountry Food Bank, CARTA, Charleston County Public Library, MAD USA and Kids on Point. Attendees will also enjoy snacks provided by IHOP and family-friendly entertainment featuring DJ Rehab and Backpack Buddy the Elf.
This year, Walmart supported the Backpacks for Bright Futures initiative with $9,000 in Spark Good Local Grants from Charleston-area stores, including the Supercenters in Charleston, Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant and Summerville.
"Walmart and the Lung Association share the belief that every child deserves to start the school year with the tools to support their academic success, health and well-being," said NaToya Champion, market manager at Walmart. "We're excited to help provide Charleston-area students with essential school supplies and connect families to resources that support a strong, healthy start to the school year."
Backpacks for Bright Futures was developed and launched in Charleston in 2023. The initiative was created to provide a comprehensive approach to educating students and families about the importance of lung health, particularly the dangers of youth vaping, while also addressing the financial barriers associated with rising back-to-school costs.
To date, the Lung Association and its partners have served 1,500 students. This year, they will serve an additional 750 students, bringing the initiative's total impact to 2,250 students.