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Stop the Violence/Back to School Rally set for August 14th

Families can get their kids off to a great start to the school year at the 2010 Stop the Violence/Back to School Rally set for Saturday, August 14th from 10 a.m. to noon at the Santa Fe College Gymnasium

Avoid the crowds, print and complete registration forms before the rally. Parent and guardians click here, Chaperones, click here.

For the 11th straight year the community group People Against Violence Enterprises (PAVE) will be hosting the event, which is expected to draw about 3000 people. The event, sponsored by a variety of businesses and community organizations, including primary sponsor Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., offers entertainment, guest speakers and snacks. Meridian will also provide the first 1200 children attending the fair with free backpacks filled with school supplies.

The purpose of the rally is to give parents and students important tips on preventing violence in their neighborhoods, homes and schools, and to help them prepare for the upcoming school year. This year’s theme is ‘Be Fight Free,’ and the focus will be on preventing fighting and drug abuse.

“We want all students to have a successful school year, and that means helping them make good decisions,” said Reverend Karl Anderson, president and founder of PAVE. “The most important message we want them to take away from the event is that they have the power to prevent violence and drug abuse.”

Alachua County Public Schools will again be partnering with PAVE this year to hold the district’s annual Back to School Fair in conjunction with the Stop the Violence Rally. District staff will be on hand to provide families attending the event with school bus schedules, calendars, school supply lists and other important back-to-school information.

Other local agencies will also be on hand to provide vital services and information. For example, the Alachua County Health Department will be offering free school immunizations and information on signing up for low-cost health insurance. Health Department staff members will also be sharing information about the upcoming Flu Mist vaccination program, a community-wide effort to immunize all students against the flu for free while they’re at school. The Early Learning Coalition will also be registering children for free pre-kindergarten programs in the community.

“Families will great information about preventing violence, but they’ll also be able to get all the basic information they’ll need for a smooth back-to-school season,” said district public information officer Jackie Johnson, who is coordinating the district’s presence at the fair.

As part of the Stop the Violence/Back to School Rally, the Leadership Gainesville Alumni Association (LGAA) will also be providing backpacks, supplies and clothing to eligible students who have graduated from the Head Start program. This is the 15th year the LGAA has sponsored the giveaway program for Head Start graduates.

Local businesses and other organizations interested in sponsoring or having a presence at the event can contact Brecka Anderson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (352) 339-3841 no later than August 2. Businesses can set up a booth and/or have flyers inserted in the free backpacks distributed to families.

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit, charitable organization providing and North Central Florida’s leading safety-net provider for people who experience mental illnesses, addictions and related social challenges.

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