Sure, cars can take people places, but Kars4Kids has taken thousands of U.S. children even further thanks to their gallant philanthropic efforts. And their latest act of charity, orchestrated in partnership with Bronx CAN, affirms this.

Kars4Kids, which brings in millions in charitable dollars each year, teamed up with New York State Sen. Gustavo Rivera and the Bronx CAN Health Initiative to host a back-to-school event on Friday, Aug. 22, which benefited thousands of needy children from the Bronx. There, the organizers collected and distributed backpacks, while they simultaneously held a health fair that informed the community about wellness and access to healthcare.

Kars4Kids operates in 49 states and takes donations of vehicles, accepting over 40,000 cars annually. The donations address the educational, material, emotional and spiritual needs of Jewish children and their families. Also, the organization regularly hosts coat and clothing giveaways for disenfranchised communities nationwide, including areas such as Harlem, New York, Washington, D.C., and Newark, New Jersey. The organization has led similar back-to-school initiatives in the past, equipping 3,000 children in Queens housing projects, as well as children in the Bronx and Brooklyn, where children received school supplies and winter coats.

Rivera, who is an educator and a philanthropist, is with Kars4Kids and other organizations "to help thousands of students in the Bronx and their parents start the school year prepared and healthy." On Friday, they distributed thousands of backpacks and provided blood pressure and glucose screenings, healthy snacks, dental screenings, health information and much more to members of the community.

"We hope that they [learned it] is important to make sure to take care of both your mind and body. From an education standpoint, I truly believe that having the appropriate school supplies plays a role in a child’s ability to succeed in school. We hope that this event will not only help prepare them for the upcoming school year, but also emphasize that learning can be fun and that healthy choices are an important factor to their success in school," Rivera told Latin Post. "At the event, children and their parents [had] the opportunity to learn how to take simple steps during their daily routines to live a healthier lifestyle, such as eating a balanced meal and exercising regularly."

Education and access to essential learning opportunities has been dear to Sen. Rivera's heart since his childhood in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. It was then that his parents instilled in him the value of quality education and public service, fueling his present day commitment to helping others acquire community resources, success and brighter futures.

"Ultimately, my goal for fighting for education services, youth mentorship, and outreach and community events all stem from wanting to ensure that my community has the necessary resources to tackle the most prevalent issues facing our neighborhoods," Rivera said. "Whether it has been through their mentorship program or by providing children with the school supplies they need to succeed, Kars4Kids has demonstrated their dedication to helping give children the resources and support they need to pursue their education and build a bright future for themselves and those around them."

Rivera said he was well aware of the health disparities that are prevalent among Latinos in his district and throughout the country, including a lack of access to quality healthcare, misgivings about the healthcare system, and socioeconomic barriers. And, unfortunately, the Bronx has continuously been ranked the unhealthiest county in New York State by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which is exactly why initiatives like the one hosted by Rivera and Kars4Kids are needed.

In 2011, the Bronx CAN Health Initiative arose out of a community need to promote and support healthy lifestyle choices, provide resources and health screenings, and improve the health outcomes for residents of 33rd New York Senate District. Rivera believes that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will help to counter aforementioned health disparities, as long as residents are knowledgable about the new system and how it can to lead healthier lives. The Bronx CAN Health Initiative informs the community of local health resources, as well as the steps an individual can take to be healthier.

This year, Bronx CAN's ongoing health fairs will focus on getting parents and students ready for a happy and healthy school year. The effort is also focused on innovative solutions to address unemployment, affordable housing and public safety concerns.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera: https://www.nysenate.gov/senator/gustavo-rivera
Bronx CAN: https://bronxcan.tumblr.com/post/90087207391/at-state-senator-gustavo-riveras-office-weve
Kars4kids: https://www.kars4kids.org/

Twitter:
State Senator Gustavo Rivera: @NYSenatorRivera, Bronx CAN: @BronxCANHealth, Kars4kids: @Kars4kids