On Saturday, 500 kids on Orange County’s westside received free school supplies – backpacks, pencils, pens and notebooks, among other items – along with free school physicals, at an event hosted by Orange County District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell and State Senator Geraldine Thompson.
Dubbed “School Days Are Here Again,” it’s the 7th year Moore Russell has hosted the event and the first year teaming up with Thompson. Both women joined forces to host the back to school event owing to reduced sponsorship.
“It’s an important event because we’re getting our kids prepared for school, making sure that they have school supplies, as well as free haircuts, physicals and everything that’s needed to get them ready for school on Monday,” said Moore Russell. “It reduces the burden on our families in the community.”
Along with the school supply give-aways, the event featured several community partners with information concerning recreational, mentoring and educational opportunities for young people throughout the year. They included, Orange County Community Action Partnership, Orange County Library Systems, OCFL Alert, Strengthening Our Sons, LANES, Pine Hills Performing Arts Center and Florida KidCare.
“Our young people need to have everything that’s necessary for them to start on day one toward reaching their goals,” said Thompson. “We know there are lots of challenges that young people bring to school – if they are hungry, if they don’t have the right clothes, if they are not well – and this hampers learning. And we wanted to meet these needs and that’s why this event is so important.”
Thompson, a Democrat, who currently represents District 12, is seeking a second term in the Florida Senate. She faces former State Senator Gary Siplin, termed out in 2012, in a Democratic primary election on August 26th. Asked how is her campaign going, Thompson had this to say:
“We are 10 days away and my campaign is going really well. We have gotten some key endorsements, including the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Democratic Party, SEIU, ASCME-Florida and Florida AFL-CIO – a cross-section of people and organizations throughout Central Florida and the State of Florida that want to see ethical leadership in the Florida Senate.”
And Thompson had a pointed message for her Democratic primary opponent regarding term limits, not unlike what she shared in an exclusive interview earlier with West Orlando News Online.
“I think that term limits exist for a reason. With new people you get new ideas, new energy and different perspectives,” she said. “I am running against an individual who apparently doesn’t think that term limits are there for the reason they are there. And we are really working hard to make sure I have a chance to finish some of the things I started in the Senate.”
“Term limits mean team limits,” Thompson added.
The “School Days Are Here Again” event, held at the Barnett Park Gymnasium on West Colonial Drive, was also supported by the Chris Johnson Foundation.
