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Gary, IND. On August 10, the Gary Railcats Stadium buzzed with excitement as students and parents lined up early for the inaugural Gary Back-to-School Fest. Organized and presented by the First Lady of Gary, Crystal Melton, this highly anticipated event aimed to empower students for the upcoming school year with a diverse range of free services and resources. Throughout the morning, over 2,000 students received essential supplies, setting the stage for a successful academic year.
“The Back-to-School Fest was a tremendous success,” said First Lady of Gary, Crystal Melton. “It was inspiring to see our community come together. The kids were excited and ready to get back into the classroom and into their studies. I'm thankful to our sponsors and volunteers who helped create this experience and make the day special for our kids."
With over 50 vendors and over $75,000 in donations, Gary's first Back-to-School Fest provided students with free haircuts, immunizations, uniform vouchers, food and giveaways including backpacks, supplies, and Puma sneakers. Students and families participated in games, facepainting, nail painting, and enjoyed sounds by DJ All OWT with a performance by the Westside Leadership Academy drumline.
"I am incredibly proud of my wife, Crystal, and all the volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible," said Mayor Eddie Melton. "This event shows what we can achieve when we come together as one community to focus on what matters most."
This event was made possible thanks to the generous donations from the following sponsors: Geminus Corporation, The Indiana Department of Child Services Lake County, Comcast, Haywood and Fleming Associates, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Gary Public Transportation Corporation, Northwest Indiana Health Disparities Council, Puma, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, and Brown Skin Coffee Wine and Tea.
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