The notes and school supplies will fill backpacks that Northbridge University will give out at their Back-to-School Event on August 1. (Photo/Debbie Daniel)
Bridging generations in Osceola County, seniors at the Osceola Council on Aging in Kissimmee are helping kick off the new school year on a positive note. This month, the group hand-wrote messages of encouragement for local students, which will be placed inside backpacks that Northbridge University is distributing during a community giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Northbridge, formerly known as Florida Technical College, has maintained an ongoing partnership with the Council on Aging, said Warren Hoagland, vice president of Health and Nutrition Services at the Council. Northbridge students regularly visit the Council to provide free haircuts, makeup, and manicures, he said, and their nursing students volunteer in the Indigent Health Clinic.
“Today, we’re doing this intergenerational thing where our seniors are writing notes of encouragement—things like ‘You guys can do it this year’ and all sorts of words of wisdom,” Hoagland said. “It’s a nice way of connecting our seniors with our youth, which are often the most divided generations.”
While Northbridge has distributed backpacks filled with school supplies for more than 15 years, this is the first year the notes initiative has been added. With eight Florida locations, including the Kissimmee campus, the university expects to hand out thousands of backpacks this year.
The Kissimmee event will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 3831 West Vine Street. In addition to free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last), activities will include electronic device raffles, live broadcasting by RUMBA 100.3, family-friendly giveaways, campus tours, program demonstrations, hands-only CPR training with the American Heart Association, and free nail trimming and ear cleaning for cats and dogs (current rabies vaccination required).
To preregister for this free event, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-back-to-school-giveaway-northbridge-university-kissimmee-tickets-1989048053271. Please note that a ticket does not guarantee a backpack. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one backpack per child, and the child must be present with an adult or guardian.
