Genesee Street in Rochester will transform into the ultimate block party this weekend to send kids off to school both excited and well-prepared.
Families can stop by to pick up one of 500 bookbags for their kids — loaded with everything they need for school — and then stay for free haircuts and nail painting, free food, plus games and 12 bounce houses all settled at the Loretta Scott Middle School baseball field. The school is located at 200 Genesee St.
This sixth annual Back-to-School Giveaway is organized by Touch of Perfection and supported by New Hope Ministries Church and Sweet Lady Daycare.
Touch of Perfection owner James Hailey said this event carries the spirit of his late mother. He said she had asked him to give back to the community when she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
"Every time I get done with a back-to-school giveaway, I just tell my mom, 'We did it,'" Hailey said. "I would have never did it if she didn't, you know, started with me, and because she actually wanted to start it while she had three months to live."
The giveaway and neighborhood summer party will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. The bookbags and supplies will be curated by age range and include hygiene products to top off the school necessities.
