In an effort to support even more children as they prepare to return to school, The Brick House’s third annual Healthy Start! Back-to-School Event will be presented as one facet of the second annual Turners Falls Block Party, which drew approximately 1,000 people to Avenue A last summer.  Offering free dental screenings; the creation of child I.D. packets (with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department); information on healthy eating (from the Community Health Center of Franklin County), fire safety (from the Turners Falls Fire Department), local Scout troops, school PTOs, and other family support options; free school supplies and healthy snacks; and free haircuts for school-age children, Healthy Start!  is intended to give local children a boost before they return to school.  Volunteers from The Brick House will also be offering free face painting to the children who drop by.

            Dr. Dara Darabi, whose Avenue A Dental office is at the corner of Fifth Street, performed free dental screenings during the two previous events that took place at The Brick House.  This year, he generously offered his office space, and we decided to fold our event into the Block Party, which will enable us to support a much larger number of children.  Dental screenings and the making of Children I.D. packets will take place inside Avenue A Dental from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and the remaining activities being presented on the sidewalk and in the parking spaces in front of the office. 

            The Brick House could use your help in this endeavor, especially since we have no idea how many kids may come through the door.  We are seeking hairstylists who would be willing to donate an hour or more of their time in order to give children free back-to-school haircuts.  It would be great to have three or four people giving haircuts at the same time, because it would allow more children to be served.  We are also asking for donations toward the purchase of school supplies.  Children usually receive a few folders, pencils in a pencil box, and a box of crayons.  It would be wonderful to be able to give these starter items to all of the children who come to us.  Lastly, if anyone might be interested in just being a presence at the event, in order to support the staff members and help the families that will drop by, we would welcome the assistance.  If you would like to become involved in, or monetarily support, this event, please contact Karen Stinchfield at 863-9576 or kstinchfield@thebrickhouseinc.org.