FRACKVILLE - Families avoided the humidity Tuesday at the Schuylkill Mall's Stuff the Bus Kids Day.
Schuylkill United Way and the Schuylkill Mall paired up to host the event from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to promote the 12th annual Stuff the Bus campaign, a school supply drive that provides backpacks filled with supplies for schoolchildren in need.
"We want to reach out to as many children as possible," Michelle Halabura, director of community relations at Schuylkill United Way, said. "We want to promote Stuff the Bus but also the awareness of people who are in need of our company or partner companies."
At 9:30 a.m., "Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked" showed for free, followed by free lunch and activities led by Schuylkill United Way partner agencies, including Schuylkill Women in Crisis, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Avenues, Pottsville Salvation Army and Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children. McCann School of Business & Technology served snow cones.
Along with crafts and activities, such as bowling and chalkboard decorating, there were free vision screenings by Child Development Inc.
Stacy Meredith, a program nurse at Child Development Inc., used a camera-like machine called "Spot" to read eye prescriptions in a matter of seconds.
"It can tell you your prescription, if you are near- or far-sighted, if you have an astigmatism or gaze, and if you have the correct glasses or contacts on," Meredith said.
Child Development Inc.'s participation at Kids Day was important because "there are especially a lot of 3- or 4-year-olds whose family can't get their eyes checked," according to Meredith.
Meredith said the machine can be taken back to their office, where she can print out all of the information to be taken to an eye doctor.
She said Child Development Inc. received a grant through Head Start for the $9,000 piece of equipment.
Stuff the Bus aims to encourage children in need to feel confident on their first day of school with necessary supplies.
"Children are our future and they need to be thought of first," Halabura said. "No one should be going to school on their first day discouraged."
Halabura said they have been receiving a decent amount of supplies and donations.
"Normally, most of the supplies come in towards the end of the month," she said.
Stuff the Bus eases some of the stress for families in need when the school year comes around.
Serenity Houston, 6, of Cumbola, said last year, she received a backpack with folders, crayons, rulers, a calculator, pencils and other school supplies. She glowed while talking about her polka-dot backpack with the big purple flower she received last year.
Kaitlin Houston, 26, of Cumbola, said she is very appreciative of the backpack her daughter received "because jobs have been hard to find, and we have just been trying to get her school clothes."
She said United Way has helped her previously with before- and after-school care for her daughter while she attended certified nursing assistant classes at the Schuylkill Technology Center.
Families, whether in need or not, recognize the importance of Stuff the Bus.
"It's really awesome for kids and great for families that can't afford these things," Tina Nunemacher, Mahanoy City, said. "Times are tough."
Not only does Stuff the Bus alleviate stress from families in need, but also teachers who want to encourage their kids.
"I'm a teacher so I think it's important," Pam Sonon, Schuylkill Haven, said.
Though Schuylkill United Way had a large impact on Tuesday's event, it were the sixth installment of the mall's eight-week program.
During the weekly Tuesday events, the mall shows dollar movies, followed by food and crafts. This is the third year for the program.
"It gives the community something to do this summer," Elaine Maneval, Schuylkill Mall general manager, said.
Maneval said they were happy to partner with Schuylkill United Way and have paired with them in other events.
During the annual Schuylkill Idol competition, the mall partners with Schuylkill United Way for the Stuff the Bus campaign by raffling off tickets for a mall gift certificate. Each item donated is worth one raffle ticket.
Maneval said she owes a lot of credit to Dana Baker, Schuylkill Mall marketing director, and the food donations they received.
"Dana has it down to a science," Maneval said. "Dana cooks the food every week."
Halabura said about 150 to 300 people were fed Tuesday at the event.
Maneval also said they received donations from Hillshire Farms and Giant, such as hot dogs, ham, cheese and desserts. This is the first year they received donations for food from the companies.
The eight-week program will continue July 22 and 29 with activities such as design your own pillowcase and coat racks. Scheduled $1 movies are "Epic" and "The Croods" with food offerings including macaroni and cheese and pierogies.