Best Foot Forward Start Kids Back to School on the Right Foot

At Best Foot Forward (BFF), we love the end of summer! Why? Because it means we get to participate in back-to-school events. Lots of energy and excitement filled these events geared towards preparing kids for school and providing all the supplies they need. BFF is always ready to fit helmets and educate ways to be safe while walking and biking.  Check out some highlights and photos of our summer events.

Back to School Bash at Sanford Church of Christ

We began our summer adventure at the circus.  Well, not a real circus, but it was a circus-themed Back to School Bash at Sanford Church of Christ. This event was one of the greatest shows around.  Kids received a new backpack, then played games to “win a prize” as they filled their new backpack with school supplies for the upcoming school year. Families snacked on popcorn and hot dogs during the event.  Thanks to our partners at Seminole County Sheriff’s Office everyone got to cool off with snow cones. A special thanks to all the friendly church members for organizing such a wonderful show.

Pinewood Back-to-School Bash

Pinewood Elementary School held a Back-to-School Bash for their returning students at the Silver Star Recreation Center in late July.  Music and back to school vibes filled the air as families showed up ready to have fun.  Free school supplies were provided for the attendees along with free books, food, and fun.  BFF and Walk-Ride-Thrive (of Orange County) visited Pinewood ES back in May and attended their bike giveaway event to fit students with helmets and educate parents and kids about the FL laws regarding walking and biking. 28 more happy kids left the bash with a new helmet ready for a new school year.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Health Fair & Back to School Giveaway 

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is located off Semoran Blvd, a high crash corridor of Orange County.  Attendance was high at this well-organized event. All children received a backpack full of school supplies in effort to prepare them for the upcoming school year.  A variety of health screenings and services were offered as well as COVID-19 vaccinations.  BFF was there to help fill the need for bicycle helmets. We were able to fit 108 students heading back to school in the area with new bicycle helmets.  Even some adults left with a new helmet for riding their bike with their kids.

Delaney Street Baptist Church Backpack & School Supply Giveaway

Over 300 people showed up to prepare for back-to-school season. The kids were each given a backpack to fill with supplies and other items as they visited the tables. BFF was busy fitting 61 helmets while talking with folks about the importance of wearing a helmet and other bike and pedestrian related topics.  We even fit some parents who told us they “wanted to lead by example” by wearing a helmet when they ride a bicycle.  We love to hear this and see it in action!

Kissimmee Main Street Back-to-School Block Party

The steamy Central Florida humidity and heat didn’t keep Best Foot Forward or Kissimmee-area residents away from an evening of fun at the Kissimmee Main Street Back-to-School Block Party. BFF’s Osceola County partner, the Kissimmee Police Department was there to celebrate all the kids heading back to school. Commissioner/Vice Mayor Felix Ortiz chauffeured patrons down Broadway Avenue in a classic automobile during the party and stopped by the BFF table to say hello. BFF was swamped fitting helmets even after the event was over. Along with FDOT coloring books and info from PedBikeSRC we fit almost 80 kids with helmets.  The iYield4Peds hand fans were a hit with folks on that hot August day.

Sally Ride Elementary School Meet the Teacher

On the eve of the first day of school, we joined our partners of Orange County’s Walk Ride Thrive, to fit helmets and share information over in Taft at Sally Ride ES for Meet the Teacher.  BFF’s, Roni Wood had some help from Arthur Woods, who retired from Orange County’s Transportation Department.  They teamed up to share tips on how to bike and walk safely with families that night. With no time to spare before school started, 25 kids now had helmets to wear the next day as they biked to and from school.

Meet the Teacher Night at Narcoossee Elementary School

Over in Osceola County, our St. Cloud partners invited us to Meet the Teacher Night.  Roni got to meet Deputy Darnell, who serves as the School Resource Officer (SRO). SROs play an important role promoting safe biking and walking on and around campus.  He mentioned that many students needed a bicycle helmet. Deputy Darnell also told us he will soon be certified helmet fitter after he completes his training.  It is always helpful to have an enthusiastic and approachable SRO as part of the school team.  Roni was able to fit 72 children and send them home smiling with helmets along with educational FDOT comic books, and coloring books in Spanish and English.

New Solar Park Lights and Lake Buena Vista High School 

Two new high schools, Lake Buena Vista and Horizon’s West, opened in Orange County this year. Best Foot Forward was invited to meet-the teacher at Lake Buena Vista to share bicycling and pedestrian safety information. This school backs up to Orange County’s Dr. Phillips Park, where new solar lighting was installed to light the way for students going to school this fall when the days get shorter. 

 

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