SKID ROW KIDS CLOSE SUMMER WITH BLOCK PARTY AND GET FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The Los Angeles Mission hosts it annual End of Summer Block Party with fun and freebies for everyone in attendance.

Los Angeles, California --- (August 25, 2007) --- Hundreds of children from the Skid Row area got a chance to close out the summer season with a final "hoorah!" The Los Angeles Mission closed 5th Street between Wall and San Pedro today to set up a two-block-long festival which included free food, live music, games, crafts, a giant inflatable slide, and just what the hot summer needed - a dunk tank. The 4-hour event gave children a day of carefree fun while also meeting their needs for the coming school year.

"This event is a staple in the community - the largest of its kind in this area. Children of all ages have a great time eating and playing, but the enjoyment doesn't stop there," said Mission president, Herb Smith. "Many Skid Row families cannot afford basic school supplies for their children, so they come to this event to get what they need. Many families will leave this event today having spent quality time together and receiving their children's school needs. That's priceless."

Some guests lined up early in the morning anticipating the start of the event. While being entertained by a puppet show put on by the ladies in the Mission's long-term rehabilitation program, the smell wafting through the air from the In-N-Out and King Taco catering trucks kept all those who were waiting filled with excitement for what lay ahead.

Once the event officially started, the street became a beehive of activity. Many parents took advantage of the free dental screenings for adults and children being offered by the Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic. In addition, many made appointments to bring the children back to receive the "well-child" check up they will need to return to school.

Executive director of the Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic, Susan Fuentes said, "We felt it very important to be a part of this wonderful event. Now that every child needs a dental screening along with the well-child check up to return to school, we wanted to make it as easy as possible for the Skid Row community get both, all while having a good time. Our prayer is that our guests see by our activities today that we truly care for them and want them to come and see us on a regular basis for all their health needs."

Many community members and businesses contributed to the day's activities including King Taco, In-N-Out, and United Health Group. The Oaks Shopping Center donated 1,000 backpacks, and the youth celebrity organization Kids with a Cause was on-hand to volunteer help wherever it was needed.

"There have been a lot of stories about Hollywood's younger stars, and they haven't all been positive," said Kids with a Cause founder and executive director Linda Finnegan. "We have participated in this event for many years, but this year it seemed especially important to be here. We want the community to see that there are many young entertainers who take pride in spending their Saturday helping Los Angeles' hungry and homeless."

Hundreds of volunteers showed up to make Saturday's event possible. "The Los Angeles Mission survives, even thrives, with the help of our donors and volunteers," said President Smith. "We serve nearly half a million meals each year, and our dedicated volunteers and generous donors make that possible."

For nearly 60 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served homeless and hurting men and women of downtown Los Angeles, providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs through its Urban Training Institute, including education, job training, transitional housing and counseling.