Time to gear up: Donation drives and fun events to help kids be prepared

Events throughout South Florida will help kids get geared up and prepared to be back in class, which resume Aug. 10 in Palm Beach County, Aug. 18 in Broward County and Aug. 23 in Miami-Dade County. We rounded up a list of back-to-school donation drives and fun events designed to get your child’s school year started off right.

Note: Before heading out to an event, call or visit the event website listed to verify information. Event info is subject to change without notice and cancellations may occur due to weather.

Back-To-School Drive, through July 23, Palm Beach County

The GL Homes and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Back-To-School Drive is collecting backpacks and school supplies for club members. Items can be purchased online and automatically sent to the clubs at BGCPBC.org/backtoschooldrive. At the same link, a list of drop-off locations and requested school supplies are listed.

Stuff The Bus, July 19 – through Aug. 2, Boynton Beach

Donations can be dropped off at the Mall Management Office located near the west main entrance Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. or on weekends, call security at 561-736-7908. Donations needed include paper, pencils, crayons, pens and tape. For a full list of needed supplies, please visit the event page at boyntonbeachmall.com.

Drive Up Back to School Supply Giveaway, July 31 (Registration required by July 19), Boynton Beach

Pathways To Prosperity is accepting school supply donations. Requested supplies include folders, calculators, rulers, markers, crayons and hand sanitizer. Event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ezell Hester Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach. For drop off locations and a full list of requested supplies, visit Boynton-beach.org/news/city-locations-accepting-school-supply-donations.

School Supply Drive, through Aug. 1, Greenacres

The City of Greenacres is collecting new school supplies including pencils, composition notebooks, highlighters, erasers, paper, glue sticks, children’s scissors, pens, colored pencils, and backpacks. For a list of drop-off locations, visit pbso.org/greenacres-school-supply-drive.

Dress for Success, July 27, 28 & 30, Aug. 3, Palm Springs & Belle Glade

Dress for Success Palm Beaches is offering local female teachers a free head-to-toe workplace outfit. A personal shopper will be assigned to teachers that make an appointment at either the Palm Springs location, 2459 S. Congress Ave., Suite 20 (July 27, July 30 or Aug. 3) or Belle Glade, 1089 S. Main St. (July 28). To reserve an appointment, teachers should call 561-249-3898. For more information visit, dressforsuccesspb.org.

Back-To-School Fest, Aug. 1, Boynton Beach

Families will enjoy a variety of vendors, dance and martial arts performances, as well as a science show. The first 200 kids will receive a drawstring backpack with school supplies. Event runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boynton Beach Mall, 801 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/226120819317566.

Backpack Broward, through July 30, Fort Lauderdale

The United Way of Broward County is collecting backpacks filled with school supplies. There are two ways to give: sponsor a backpack by donating at UnitedWayBroward.org or by dropping off a filled backpack to United Way of Broward County, Ansin Building, 1300 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Visit UnitedWayBroward.org/BackpackBroward for more information.

Back to School Drive, through Aug. 11, Coral Springs

Give kids the tools they need to succeed. Coral Springs will be collecting supplies at City Hall Lobby, 9500 W. Sample Road, and Public Safety Building Lobby, 2801 Coral Springs Drive. Accepted supplies include: markers, crayons, pencils, pens, composition books, scissors, erasers, highlighters, index cards, post-its, paper, glue sticks, three-ring binders, color pencils, rulers and flash drives. For more information, call 954-344-1000.

Back To School Drive, through Aug. 11, Fort Lauderdale

Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center is looking to collect and fill 800 backpacks to go to students in need. Supplies are needed for students from preschool through high school. The wish list includes all of the basics, including backpacks, paper, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, folders and notebooks. Supplies are being collected Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 1401 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit childrensdiagnostic.com/back-to-school.

School Supply Donation Drive, through Aug. 14, Lauderdale Lakes

Supplies needed include pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, backpacks, highlighters, crayons, markers, glue, tape, calculators, notebooks, erasers, rulers, sharpies, composition books, scissors and age-appropriate books. Items can be dropped off Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 4340 NW 36th St., Lauderdale Lakes. For more information, call 954-535-2804.

School Supply Drive, through Aug. 31, Broward County

Broward Education Foundation’s School Supply Drive will help provide basic school supply kits to under-resourced children in Title I elementary schools in Broward County. There are three options for monetary donations: Equip-A-Kid ($10), Equip-A-Class ($250) or Equip-A-School ($3,500). For more information, visit browardedfoundation.org/drive.

Back to School Bash Drive-Thru, July 24, Miramar

One free backpack with school supplies is available to Miramar residents heading into preK through fifth grade. Proof of residency is required. Event runs from 9 a.m. to noon or while supplies last. 8501 Sherman Circle South, Miramar. To register, visit miramarbacktoschoolbash.eventbrite.com.

Back To School BBQ, July 31, Fort Lauderdale

Community BBQ event with all proceeds going toward the purchase of school supplies for families in need. Ticket price covers food, drinks, treats and bounce house entry. $10 adults, $5 child, children younger than five years old are free. Event runs from noon to 3 p.m. Osswald Park, 2220 NW 21st Ave., Fort Lauderdale. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/back-to-school-bbq-tickets-159181731845.

Back To School BBQ, July 31, Plantation

This will be a community event including free school supplies for Plantation residents (must show ID), a BBQ lunch and fun activities including a Florida Panthers game truck & giveaways, fire engine painting, a Plantation Police live band and more. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jim Ward Community Center, 301 NW 46th Ave., Plantation. For more information, call 954-452-2510.

Back To School Slime Time, weekends in August, Fort Lauderdale

Make and take home your own slime after learning the best techniques in a slime-making workshop. Take a picture in front of the slime wall, learn to make slime bubbles and see who can get the longest stretch out of their super slimy goo. Event is free with museum admission. Museum of Discovery & Science, 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit mods.org or call 954-467-6637.

Back To School Pop-up Palooza, Aug. 7, North Lauderdale

Event features free health screenings, backpack/school supplies giveaways and after school programs scholarship assistance. There will be activities for the kids, music, vendors and business workshops. Free. Event runs from noon to 6 p.m. Kimberly Square Shopping Center, 957 Rock Island Road, North Lauderdale. For more information, call 954-825-3527.

Back To School Beach Cleanup, Aug. 10, Dania Beach

This family-friendly event will provide all materials necessary to have some clean fun (gloves, baskets and buckets.) Cleanup runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dania Beach Pier, 300 N. Beach Road, Dania Beach. For more information, visit thetrashpirates.org/events.

Community Resource Fair, Aug. 14, Lauderdale Lakes

Back To School Splash, Aug. 14, Tamarac

Families can enjoy music, games and more. First 60 children (ages 5-14) will recieve a goodie bag. $5 per person. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Caporella Aquatic Complex, 9300 NW 58th St., Tamarac. For more information, call 954-597-3660.

Back To School 5K, Aug. 28, Pompano Beach

Walk or run this 5K event and have some fun before heading back to class. Event is limited to 100 people and there will be a finish line clock at the end to time your run. Registration is $25. Pompano Air Park, 1103 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach. To sign up, visit Runsignup.com/Race/FL/PompanoBeach/BackToSchool2021.

Kiddos Back-to-School Event, Aug. 7, Pinecrest

Family-friendly activities, entertainment, arts and crafts, face painting, science and art projects, storytelling, character meet & greet, free backpacks, food and more. Free. Event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suniland Park, 12855 Pinecrest Parkway, Pinecrest.

Back to School Bash, Aug. 7 & 8, Miami

Kids can decorate school folders using math-based art skills, enjoy interactive story times, participate in a raffle, then try a STEM activity to get those brain waves moving. Local partners will be available for resources to aid in your child’s success during the school year. The event runs in two-hour blocks: 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami. For more information, call 305-373-5437.

Back 2 School Community Giveback, Aug. 15, Opa-locka