Social Service organizations are the heart and hands of compassionate action in the community. A great example of this will be happening in August here in Richardson. Two Compassionate DFW partners are joining forces to help Richardson ISD low-income parents get their children ready for the new school year. St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church of Richardson will be hosting their 12th annual Back-to-School Health Fair, working with Care Van to provide no cost immunizations to families with no insurance or whose insurance does not cover immunizations. In addition, free bike helmets are given to children through the Texas Medical Association ‘Hard Hats for Little Heads’ program and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians; families are helped to apply for CHIP; medical, dental, and other support groups provide information to the families; and adult hearing & vision screening and cholesterol screenings are offered.
This year Richardson’s Network of Community Ministries will be hosting their Back-to-School Backpack program in conjunction with the Health Fair. Donated backpacks stuffed with school supplies will be handed out to families in need. They anticipate handing out over a thousand backpacks during the Health Fair. In addition, volunteer hairdressers will be available for those back to school haircuts! The Richardson Police and Fire Departments will also be on hand to give out safety information to those attending. This year’s health fair is scheduled for August 19th from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 West Belt Line Rd., Richardson, TX.
Events like this do not happen without a great deal of volunteer hours by caring, compassionate community members and businesses. Over 100 volunteers will put in over 200 hours in this endeavor. That’s a lot of compassionate action!
Conoly Barker
Compassionate DFW
Board Member & Advisor on Social Services
