Huntsville Police and Free 2 Teach Plan June 7 After School Bash at Big Spring Park
The community event will collect school supplies for Huntsville-area teachers through a 'Stuff the Squad Car' drive.
By Ama Boateng ·
The Huntsville Police Department and the local nonprofit Free 2 Teach are joining forces again for the After School Bash, a community celebration aimed at helping public school teachers get the supplies they need for their students.
The event is scheduled for June 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Big Spring Park. Planned attractions include bounce houses, live entertainment, local food trucks and vendors, and police activity zones, among other offerings.
Guests are asked to bring school supply donations to "Stuff the Squad Car." Everything collected will go straight to Huntsville-area teachers through Free 2 Teach.
Capt. Chris Riley, commander of the HPD South Precinct, said gatherings like this show the department's dedication to meaningful engagement with the community. "When we invest in our teachers, we invest in our students – ultimately investing in the future of our City," Riley said.
Riley added that a well-supported classroom can unlock potential and give students the confidence to believe in themselves. He described that as "a kind of safety and empowerment that no badge alone can provide."
The bash follows earlier partnerships between the police department and Free 2 Teach, including Back-to-School Bash events held in previous years. Free 2 Teach CEO Alison Kling said she hopes the new event becomes a lasting tradition.
"Our partnership with the Huntsville Police Department makes a significant impact on thousands of teachers and students," Kling said. She described the After School Bash as a joyful celebration with a serious purpose: collecting supplies to equip teachers and fill classrooms so every child in the city's public schools has access to an equitable and excellent education.
For teachers such as Michelle Cunningham, who teaches math at Morris Middle School, the support carries personal meaning. "As a teacher, we are helping your children – your niece, your nephew, your grandchild, your family member – become a productive citizen, a productive adult," Cunningham said.
She added that events like this remind educators they are supported and appreciated.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: 256 Today
