Back to school at Paddock Mall

Back-toSchool Fest

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LEIGHTON OKUS

The Paddock Mall hosted their annual Back-to-School Fest on July 31st. In partnership with local organizations, they gave away over 5,000 backpacks filled with supplies plus $20k in school supplies donated to The Public Education Foundation of Marion County. Kids were offered free back-toschool pictures with Sensational Selfies and free vaccines. Families enjoyed music, face painting and balloon artists. This community event was filled with cheerful volunteers and very happy children, a wonderful way to kick off the 2021 school year!

Cynthia and Vanessa Perez Advent Health: Cathleen Johnson, Linda Harn, Michael Santos, Melinda Monteith, Shawn James-Clarke, and Sharon Birdwhistell

Jenkins Auto Group: Kasey Myers and Amanda Sias Corbin Smith getting his Back to School pics with Sensational Selfies

Erica, Ryan, and Noah Coon Dani, Jordyn,and Ryan Eskridge

Daniel Abou-Jaoude, Vishal Shah, and Michael Underwood Charles Young, Kaeley Branson, Ashley Gerds, and Kait Gray

Jodie and Dylan Desantis, Stephanie and Steve Albright