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Back to School Drive underway to help students in need of supplies

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — There's a big school supply drive Friday morning to help students get everything they need to succeed in the classroom.

The Back to School Drive is being held at Cox Radio on John Young Parkway Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The supplies needed are for families who cannot afford them. All supplies will go to Hope Now International - for their Back to School Expo, Aug. 9 at the Amway Center.

Maria Foster is gearing up to send her 7-year-old Raymond to Fern Creek Elementary School.

"I want him to be prepared when he goes to school. If the teacher says, 'OK, this is what the students need,' I want him to have that," said Foster.

Thanks to community efforts and organizations, Raymond will head to the second grade prepared.

He'll be one of thousands of kids in line next Saturday at the Amway Center.

The back to school expo will dole out backpacks full of supplies to families who need them most.

"These kinds of drives are very helpful just because it's just so hard," said Foster. "He don't have to worry about that and he shouldn't you know? He's a child. That's my responsibility."

Foster said she is grateful to the community that her son can start the year just like everyone else's child.