Polk County Sheriff’s Office hosting back to school bashes for students

POLK COUNTY, Fla., (WFLA) — Believe it or not, school starts up again in a month.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is hosting back-to-school bashes to help families get set for the new year. They will be handing out bookbags filled with supplies for students.

Three locations will be hosting a bash on Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to noon:

• Northwest District: 1045 Wedgewood Estates Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33809
• Southeast District: Eagle Ridge Mall, 301 Eagle Ridge Drive, Lake Wales, FL 33859
• Central District: 3635 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven, FL 33880

The Sheriff’s Office is doing what it can to help start the school year off on a positive note.

“I’m totally excited because we’re going to have a back-to-school bash,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.

Parents, grandparents, and guardians, your child must be present to get the backpack and to be there for the experience.

“I want you to think about this, one child, one bookbag, no children, no bookbag. We don’t want anyone bogarting now. Come have a good time,” Judd said.

The bookbags will be filled with all the supplies for school, with all the supplies being donated through private donors or the Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc.

This year, they are hosting events at each of their patrol districts, so people can get to know the deputies who serve their area better.

“We’re going to do it in our Northwest district at our station, our Central district at our station, and at Eagle Ridge Mall,” said Judd. “You know what’s cool about that? Every child that shows up will receive a book bag, complete with all kinds of school stuff.”

If you can’t make the events on July 13, but your child still needs school supplies, there will be more bashes on Saturday, July 27.

The events on July 27 will be from 9 a.m. to noon:

• Northeast District: 1100 Dunson Rd, Davenport, FL 33896
• Southwest District: 4120 US Hwy 98 South, Lakeland, FL 33801

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