Free event rounds up community resources

Support students from preschool to 8th grade in academics, health, wellness, creativity, extracurricular activities... and more.

The City of Yuma will host the Eighth Annual Back to School Rodeo, Saturday, July 20, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive, in partnership with a variety of community sponsors.

The Back to School Rodeo is designed for children in preschool through 8th grade. The Back to School Rodeo is a free, family-friendly event providing an opportunity to increase awareness and availability of education, health and social services for parents and children through interactive, informative presentations, displays and entertainment from more than 80 local organizations.

Representatives from public, private and charter schools as well as preschools will be available to answer questions and provide information regarding the upcoming school year. Additional resources including vision, dental and health screenings will also be on site.

The first 1,400 children in grades Pre-K through 8th grade will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies. (Child must be present to receive a backpack. One backpack per child.) All attendees will have the chance to win door prizes including bicycles, raffle baskets filled with games, gift cards and more. The Back to School Rodeo features several Arts and Craft stations, free face painting, and a reading corner.

The public is also encouraged to bring a nonperishable canned food item to donate to the Yuma Community Food Bank at the event.

The Back to School Rodeo is made possible through the support of local organizations, including First Things First, Corona Optique, APS, Arizona Complete Health, Wal-Mart, Southwest Gas, Sam’s Club, AEA Federal Credit Union, Harvest Prep, Children’s Dental, Yuma Dentistry for Kids, KYMA, Calibur Printing, Wells Fargo, Swire Coca-Cola USA, Sun Graphics, Cathy Nuetzi State Farm Insurance, Culligan Water, CPES Behavioral Health, Strong Beginnings, Cook Orthodontics, JC Penny, Pioneer Title Agency, z93 Monster Media Yuma, El Dorado Broadcasters, and La Campesina.