- December 4, 2025
Children try on their backpacks at the St. Joe Plaza Back to School Block Party. Courtesy photo
Children are happy with their fire hats. Courtesy photo
Children survey the free backpacks. Courtesy photo
The bounce house was a major attraction. Courtesy photo
Two hundred backpacks were distributed at the St. Joe Plaza Back to School Block Party. Courtesy photo
Posing for photos next to the fire engine. Courtesy photo
A youngster gets a haircut at Toney's Barbershop at the St. Joe Plaza Back to School Block Party. Courtesy photo
A happy customer at the St. Joe Plaza Back to School Block Party. Courtesy photo
Kids enjoy Italian ice. Courtesy photo
The third annual St. Joe Plaza Back to School Block Party in Palm Coast was held Aug. 10, the day before students returned to school. The event was organized by Arah Williams, a veteran and owner of Toney’s Barbershop and Scoops & Subs.
Two hundred Backpacks were distributed. Each was equipped with school supplies.
Children, accompanied by parents or guardians walked around to the various stations, filling their backpacks. The stations offered treats and fire hats as well as Italian Ice samples and ice cream from Scoops & Subs. One of the main attractions of the event was a bounce house. Children and adults also congregated around a Palm Coast fire truck, speaking with firefighters and posing for photos.
This year, the event included free haircuts at Toney’s Barbershop. The barbers, who volunteered their time, provided over 50 haircuts with no one turned away. A pop-up shop, provided by Thankful Harris, aimed to alleviate financial burdens by offering a wide range of clothing items at no cost.
Sponsors included Cathy Heighter Moore (Remembering Vets), Vance Scott (Approved Mortgage Source), Aleshia Bratcher (Firehouse Subs), Jon McDowell (Purdees Italian Ice), Target of Palm Coast and Staples of Palm Coast.
