Submitted by Jamie M. Martin, St. Andrew Market at East Community Center
What a night!
St. Andrew Market’s 4th Annual Back to School Event was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with one goal: making sure every child feels seen, supported, loved, and ready for the year ahead.
The East Community Center was electric as 476 students from eight school districts, and one local junior college came through the doors. Students picked out new backpacks and checked off their school supply lists, while 335 students went home with new shoes and socks. Others enjoyed a fresh haircut, and more than 500 hot grilled meals were served by the St. Andrew Grill team so that everyone could enjoy a community meal together.
This was so much more than back-to-school shopping.
Our incredible community partners were there to welcome, encourage, and connect with students and their families. Wholly Kicks provided brand-new shoes; Doctors Care offered free health screenings and healthcare navigation, and High 5 Sports brought positive and encouraging outdoor play. The Boy Scouts of America were on hand to answer questions and introduce families to the wonderful world of scouting. BOK Financial, Break Bread, Forester Medical, and staff from the East Community Center joined us in making the evening feel like a true community celebration.
The Doctors Care team even made sure our students felt—and looked—like the superheroes they are, capes and all, before they flew down the hall to choose their new backpacks!
A very special thank you goes to Littleton Public Schools, whose counselors and staff helped connect and support students and families throughout the evening. And to the incredible East Community Center staff, thank you for allowing us to take up the entire main floor and helping to create such a joyful, energetic evening.
Of course, none of this happens without an amazing village, and they all showed up in a big way. Incredibly generous monetary and in-kind donations came from the St. Andrew UMC community, Littleton Sharing Community Group, Girl Scouts, Costco at Riverpoint, Wholly Kicks, Doctors Care, St. Andrew’s Kids and Senior Adult Ministries, and grant funding through Arapahoe County Aid to Agencies.
And then there were the volunteers (and it simply does NOT happen without them)—102 incredible people who gave their time (341 volunteer hours), energy, smiles, and hearts to make the evening possible.
From the first backpack handed out to the last meal served, this was community in action.
Thank you to everyone who helped make sure 476 students walked through those doors feeling cared for—and walked out feeling prepared, confident, and excited for the school year ahead.
This is what happens when we come together. This is what community looks like. Thank you.
