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Where to Get a Ticket for Free Back-to-School Giveaway at Harlem Hospital

By Gustavo Solis | August 21, 2015 2:54pm
 Tickets like these will be available at Harlem Haberdashery and Paw Prints of Harlem until 5 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets like these will be available at Harlem Haberdashery and Paw Prints of Harlem until 5 p.m. Saturday.
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DNAinfo/Gustavo Solis

HARLEM — School children from Kindergarten through third grade have a chance to pickup school supplies at Harlem Hospital this Sunday.

The event is free but in order to attend, kids need to pick up a “VIP Ticket” from one of two neighborhood stores.

“There will be arts and crafts, music, different events for kids and then the big giveaway,” said Kimberly Wilson, a spokeswoman for the event. “All that the family has to do is come to the Mural Pavilion, show their ticket, and come in.”

There are about 300 tickets left at Harlem Haberdashery on 245 Lenox Ave. and Paw Prints of Harlem at 100 Saint Nicholas Ave., The tickets will be available until they run out or 5 p.m. Saturday, she added.

#TakeCareofHarlem, a local nonprofit that organizes toy drives, coat collections, and free lunch giveaways, is organizing the back-to-school giveaway.

Although Kells Barnett, 32, has been using the #takecareofharlem hashtag for years, he formally started the organization a little over a year ago, he said.

“We are just trying to inspire people to take care of the community,” said Barnett, who grew up in the Polo Grounds. “I’m from Harlem so it’s easy for me to take care of Harlem.”

Part of what inspired him to form the organization was seeing multi-billion dollar corporations sponsor events in the neighborhood. He figured it would send a stronger message if a local group made from people in the neighborhood take charge, he added.

#TakeCareofHarlem also teamed up with the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club to distribute tickets.

During the event, children will be able to participate in arts and crafts and listen to live music. Towards the end they will receive book bags with pens, pencils, protractors, and notebooks.

Sunday’s event will be from noon to 4 p.m. at 506 Lenox Ave.