Marion Co Health Department back to school family day

It's back to school for IPS on Monday, and Saturday thousands of families turned out for a free event to get their kids ready to learn.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - It's back to school for IPS on Monday, and Saturday thousands of families turned out for a free event to get their kids ready to learn.

It's the 16th Annual Back to School Family Day and is held on the grounds of the Marion County Public Health Department.

It draws thousands of families for the wide range of services available.

Pamela Humes is program director for the organization called Covering Kids & Families in Central Indiana. "This year as in every year, we try to focus on the health of kids as they go back to school," she said.

The health screenings include free immunizations along with screenings for vision and dental health.

"We want our kids to be ready to learn. and if their not they can't see or their vision or hearing problems, we want to take care of those things before school starts," said Humes.

Each child here receives a backpack with free school supplies.

Tashawnna Summers is with the Marion County Health Department. "It's important when you don't have the resources on your own and school is beginning. Things like this help you to either get out of the house or to get things for your kids like the bookbags they offered."

For Bobbie Arlington and her children, the free services here come at just the right time, when parents are at their busiest.

"It is. It's a lot of work. A lot of spending money and coming to these events and stuff it helps with saving money."

Volunteers and parents say they can't overstate the value of this event.

Tashawnna Summers volunteered this year. "Because I love to give back. I know what it is to be on both sides, receiving and now I'm on the giving side so Ijust wanted to help out today. Like I do every year."

Laquila Dunn is a mother and an IPS Principal. "I'm very happy that things like this exist because families otherwise would not have an opportunity to get it completed before the school year and families that have multiple children have an opportunity to get the very expensive shots and immunizations and birth certificates."

The Indianapolis Fire Department also conducted fire safety demonstrations at this one-of-a-kind event, what organizers call the perfect one-stop opportunity for families to get kids ready for school.