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Tamarac Holds Back-to-School Fair with Backpack and Shoe Giveaway

by David Volz August 9, 2026

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The Just Start Now group gives away shoes. {David Volz}

Jair Penso loves to play soccer and learn about science.

“I am the best goalie on my team,” said Jair.

Jair and his mother, Duon Penso, were among a group of families who attended the Back-to-School Community Resource Fair at the Tamarac Community Center on August 8. Jair received a backpack filled with school supplies and a pair of athletic shoes.

“This was a good event, and Jair is excited about starting the second grade. He really enjoys learning about animals,” said Duon.

Cindy Cradinas also liked the event. She said her son, Ethan, is looking forward to the second grade, and Matthew will start VPK. They both received backpacks.

The Resource Fair included a fashion show organized by the No Limits Foundation, Inc. The participants included children and teenagers with special needs and students with no disabilities, according to Tia Frost, who leads the organization. She started the fashion show to give her son, John, who has autism, an opportunity to participate in fashion.

“My son said he wanted to become involved in a fashion show, so I helped him create an organization where he could do so. He participated in the show today and is pursuing a photography career,” said Frost.

Tia Frost and her son John {David Volz}

Paula DeWiitt, Social Service Supervisor for Tamarac, led the Resource Fair and was pleased with the turnout. She said about 200 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to children in Tamarac. Many social service organizations had tables set up so families could learn about their services.

“We want to make sure children in the community are prepared for the first day of school, and we want them to have backpacks filled with paper, pens and other school supplies,” said DeWitt.

Kenric Grange is a leader of Just Start Now, an organization that provides running shoes to underprivileged young people, and helped distribute shoes. “We want to help young people get a start in life,” he said.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.