Community comes together for students

Community organizations are stepping up to help local families struggling as the new school year begins. Parents are given several options to receive free school supplies and haircuts so their students can start the year with what they need to succeed.

“I am extremely grateful to our local charities for their generous provision of backpacks and school supplies for Taylor’s youth,” said Councilman Robert Garcia.

“Their unwavering support not only meets a critical need, but also enables our children to succeed and thrive in their education. Their contributions are truly valued and make a lasting difference in our community.”

Some of the supply distribution events promoted to the public include:

Revelation of Christ Church Back to School Contest

9am – 3pm on August 3 at 608 Howard St.

Supplies and backpacks will be distributed to students in grades 1 through 8. Students will also be able to get free haircuts during the event.

Southside Community Engagement Back to School Bash starts at 3 p.m. on August 3 at Fannie Robinson Park, 1009 E.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The event will feature free backpacks and school supplies, a live band and a free BBQ.

The Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center and the Blackshear/OL Price Ex-Student Association Back to School Summerfest

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. August 3 at Fannie Robinson Pavilion, 206 S. Dolan St.

Registration for the school supplies starts at 10:00 am. The giveaway starts at 11:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm. Parents must register their children for the giveaway. They will also be collecting donated supplies for teachers during this time.

The Bill Pickett Foundation, City of Taylor, HEB and Taylor Independent School District Family Support Citywide School Supply Distribution

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on August 10 at the Taylor Parks and Recreation Building, 1412 Davis St.

Free cutting and braiding

The Braided Faded Crew 12th Annual “Bac 2 Skool” Free Hair Day 1-6pm August 11th at the Taylor Parks and Recreation Building, 1412 Davis St.

The event will include braids, fades and haircuts, as well as free snacks. Students are asked to come with washed and ready hair.

School vaccination clinic

Jolly Giant Pediatrics and Williamson County and Cities Health District 4:30 to 7 p.m. July 31 at the Taylor Independent School District Event Center, 3101 N.

Home Page, Vaccinations for children ages 5-18. Some families may qualify for free vaccinations, and the clinic also accepts private insurance, private pay, Medicaid, and CHIP. Parents are asked to bring students’ vaccination records.

“We’re going to keep going until we get everybody covered. The point is you don’t have to drive to another city to get the vaccines your kids need to go back to school,” said Dr.

Daniel Dvoskin of Jolly Giant Pediatrics, 2004 Old Granger Road in Taylor.

Dvoskin said it can be difficult to get an appointment for childhood vaccinations. Sometimes it takes months to get there and requires driving to a neighboring city. This clinic allows families to get the vaccinations their students need at one time and in one convenient location.

“Anyone who needs to catch up or just routine vaccinations, we can give them right away, and then we can also give the optional vaccinations like Meningitis B or HPV,” he said. “If you have someone who is not in school yet and you still want to bring them in, I will also bring the vaccine for your little ones. We can take anyone from 0 to 21 — whatever you need to catch up on, we can give it and help you.”

For more information about any of these events, please contact the sponsoring organizations directly.