- December 4, 2025
Access to Excellence Global Inc. held its annual Carrying Hope Back 2 School event on Saturday, Aug. 9. Courtesy photo
Children attend the annual Carrying Hope Back 2 School event at SONC on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Volunteers serve food during the annual Carrying Hope Back 2 School event at SONC on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Ormond Beach Police Capt. Chris Roos speaks during the annual Carrying Hope Back 2 School event on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Access to Excellence Global Inc. founder Tina Carlyle and Ormond Beach Leisure Services empoylee Tiara Glenn. Courtesy photo
Having collected 300 backpacks this year, Ormond Beach nonprofit Access to Excellence Global Inc. held its annual Carrying Hope Back 2 School event on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The event, held at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center, was open to Ormond Beach residents and featured educational sessions, free school supplies, games and food. The nonprofit was joined by the Ormond Beach Police Department, which conducted a back-to-school safety briefing.
For the nonprofit's founder and event organizer, Tina Carlyle, the educational piece is the most important part of the annual event.
"Anytime that I can educate and provide a resource and information to parents, to kids, that is the ultimate goal," said Carlyle, who is also an advanced practice nurse. "Knowledge is power. I tell everybody. When you know better, you can always do better."
The goal of the event is to prepare children for a good school year, Carlyle said. But, they also want to provide parents with resources and raise awareness on how guidance counselors can help, especially in light of changes in the economy and school systems.
Though they had backpacks left over, which Carlyle said they plan on keeping for next year or donating to children in need throughout the school year, she added that giving back in this way warms her heart.
"It makes me sleep well at night to know that this may not have been the number of backpacks that we wanted to give out, but we still made an impact," she said. "We made an impact on those that were in need."
The event was largely made possible thanks to donors, which included Gordon Food Service; attorney Rckey Strong with Howell, Buchanan & Strong; attorney James Leford; Attorney Tom Upchurch; Grannie Nannies; Dr. Joel Sebastian; Gainous Funeral Home; First Watch; Access Senior Resources & Consulting LLC; B PHiT Fitness; Bright Star Home Care; and Mike Haynes.
Carlyle also thanked her family and the City of Ormond Beach for their support.
Her nonprofit will be presenting the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast celebration next year on Jan. 19, 2025, at SONC.
For more information, or to donate, call Carlyle at 386-527-5918.
