LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Horizon Health hosted their 10th annual Back to School Bang at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2. The event, which has been typically held on a Saturday morning, was filled with kids of all ages having fun and making memories.
“I think we were blown away by the response in numbers and from feedback we got from a lot of parents that came through,” said Horizon Health PR/Marketing Manager Christina Hodgson. “I think everyone from our end to the parents and kids really liked having it on Friday.”
Every year, Horizon Health gives out free backpacks and school supplies to kids who attend. For the 10th year, they had raised enough money to provide 500 bags with supplies for local children. In past years, the backpacks would come prefilled with all necessary tools. The plan shifted this year to a more interactive distribution.
“This year, instead of getting your backpack full of supplies at the end, we did it so they would come in and get an empty bag, and then the whole time they were there, they went table to table to find the school supplies. So I think people really liked that,” said Hodgson.
Fundraising by Horizon Health employees plays a vital role in the success of the Back to School Band. They are the main source behind its raging success according to Hodgson.
“It’s something our staff love, and they pour everything into it. We fundraise for this event all year long,” she said. “So that’s how we buy the school supplies and how we buy the bikes, rent the slide, dunk tank and all those things. It’s truly employee-funded.”
“It is truly a whole event that every single one of our employees help with in one way or the other,” Hodgson continued. “So even if they’re not staffed the day of, I’m sure everyone at one point has donated to the event, which is super cool. And you know, of course, we’ve been able to do it for 10 years because of our employees. So we’re very, very proud of that.”
A new addition to the bash this year was an after party with live music and food. Attendees enjoyed the function and Horizon Health employees also gushed about the evening events.
“Me and my staff were blown away by the response we got from (the after party) too. We weren’t sure exactly how it was going to turn out. It was the first year of doing it,” Hodgson said. “My team and I were out, of course, dancing with them. And so, you know, that’s really fun. Every time I turned around and looked at the parents, there was always at least one parent standing there recording their kid with the biggest smile on their face.”
The Horizon Health Back to School Bang was a raging success throughout the evening and employees, families and children hope to enjoy it for years to come.
“Not only were the kids having the time of their lives, but the parents loved it too, and that’s always nice for us to see. You know, when the whole family’s there enjoying themselves, just having a great night together,” said Hodgson.