ON Tuesday, August 19, families from across the Lower Mainland were invited to Riverside Palace Banquet Hall in Richmond for a special Back to School event. Seventy-five children, their parents, care givers, volunteers and community groups came together for this event to help kids get a strong start to their school year. The event started in 2023 with Henry Schein Foundation (BC Division) wanting to make a difference and give back to the community. Prashant Ohri, President, Henry Schein Canada said: “To help children start the school year strong, we were inspired by the success of last year’s event to give back once again. This year, we proudly provided 75 backpacks and school supplies to students in need. It’s an honour to support this meaningful community initiative through our British Columbia division.”
Community organizer Harvey Kooner brought partners together to collaborate and give back: “With many community partners returning and new partners joining us, we expanded our impact by supporting three incredible causes this year: Kids Play Foundation, Richmond Food Bank and families in Richmond Schools. It’s all about giving back and making a difference together.”
Guests arrived to find a lively atmosphere at Riverside Palace Banquet Hall with community partners ready to welcome everyone with activities, community information and games. The BC Lions players, dance team and Surrey Eagles teams signed autographs and gave away fan towels and hats. Richmond RCMP had a spinning wheel where kids picked up neat prizes from volunteers and spoke with police officers. Henry Schein Canada had kids practise their skills with a giant game of Connect Four and next to them, MidMain Clinic had children playing corn hole. Over at the Riverside Banquet Halls, Richmond Sunrise Rotary and Victor Ghirra Toy Drive booth children learned about how they give back to the community.
It was truly inspiring to witness so many community partners come together in support of this initiative, including Islamic Relief Canada, BC Lions, Surrey Eagles, Richmond RCMP, Richmond Sunrise Rotary, Dumonde Helping Hands, Vancouver Whitecaps, Collingwood CPC, SEMO Foundation, and the Victor Ghirra Toy Drive.
After dinner, the audience heard from motivational speaker and Henry Schein team member: Jacob Schwingboth about not giving up and pursuing your dreams which led him to being a seven-time Canadian National Track Cycling Champion. MP for Steveston-East Richmond, Parm Bains, shared the importance of community and how everyone needs to work together for a better tomorrow.
Another community partner that was back this year to give back, the Islamic Relief Canada organization who kindly gifted sling bags, soccer balls, water bottles and more to children.
The Richmond Food Bank serves over 2,200 people on average every week. They provide nutritious grocery assistance through their grocery distributions, grocery parcels delivery service, breakfast and lunch programs in seven Richmond schools.
KidsPlay is a non-profit organization working towards keeping kids away from the lifestyle of drugs, gangs, and violence. They believe their work will allow the youth to discover the potential they have within themselves to reach greater heights in any aspect of life. Kids Play Founder and CEO Kal Dosanjh said: “The Back-to-School Event was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together. Multiple organizations united around a shared goal: to equip underserved youth with the tools and support they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.”
For more information on how you can get involved and make a difference in the community, contact Harvey Kooner at 604-671-4180 or harveykooner1@gmail.com.
