Countless local residents braved the heat on Saturday for the Lipman 6th Annual Backpack Giveaway/Back to School Event at Immokalee High School. The line started forming outside of Gary Bates Stadium at Immokalee High School hours before the event kicked off. By the time the gates opened, the line stretched from the field to the high school buildings. Year after year this event has grown and this year, due to the generous support of donors, 1,500 backpacks filled with supplies were given away to local school children. Starting the school year off right is a big part of learning and multiple organizations came together to make sure that happened. From health information to free haircuts, local school kids were given a better chance at success. In addition, a select number of bicycles and helmets were given away to a few lucky school children. This event has become a tradition in the community and it takes a well-organized team to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. Months of planning and organization helped make this event possible. In April, runners and walkers from all over participated in the Lipman 5K Run for Backpacks event and in July, volunteers came together to help stuff the backpacks and get them ready for the big event this past weekend. Jaime Weisinger with Lipman Produce said that “None of this could even be possible without the help of all of the vendors and over 300 volunteers.” For more information about volunteering or making a donation, email Jaime Weisinger at Jaime.Weisinger@lipmanproduce.com.