By Dan McGrath
It’s hard to imagine a more fun way to demonstrate community commitment than Leo’s Back to School Jam.
This year’s event, the sixth annual, took place on Saturday, August 3, at the school’s main parking lot. With the school year rapidly approaching, nearly 2,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, toys and games were distributed to neighborhood youngsters. Community groups, vendors, craftsmen, cooks and service providers manned the 30-plus booths that were set up on the lot, including an HBCU station which 2022 Leo grads and Morehouse College juniors Cam Cleveland, Austin Ford and Will Anderson staffed.
The Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department operated information booths, with representatives on hand to discuss career opportunities. Alderman David Moore (17th) also was in attendance.
School may be down the road a ways for some of the younger visitors, but a face painter, a bouncy house and pony rides were available to make sure they felt included. A hot dog stand and two food trucks made sure nobody went home hungry.
Ms. Yolanda Sandifer-Horton, Leo’s Director of Community Engagement, oversaw the presentation, with help from a small army of parent volunteers. The program was supposed to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the gates opened early when visitors began arriving as early as 10 a.m. All told, more than 2,000 people visited the site over the course of the afternoon.
“We’ve been residents of the Auburn Gresham community for coming up on 100 years now,” said Leo’s principal, Dr. Shaka Rawls. “It’s important that we be good neighbors, and events like this demonstrate our commitment.
“It was a great day for Leo.”