Celebrity athlete Shawn Johnson East co-hosted the exclusive nationwide kick-off event of the Vera Bradley and Blessings in a Backpack back-to-school charity tour at St. Vincent de Paul Center in Chicago, Illinois earlier this week. The event, which took place on the tenth-year anniversary of Shawn’s Olympic gold medal win, turned the facility’s elementary school classes into a larger than life carnival where Shawn joined the partnering brands in announcing their philanthropic pledge to donate 25,000 backpacks filled with food for under privileged kids and their families across America. The space was transformed to create a kid-friendly memorable experience and included games such as a pirate bounce, ring toss, skee ball, whack-a-mole, life size connect-four, inflatable obstacle course, mini golf, double shot basketball, two-minute drill football, sand art, spin art, and much more all with fun prizes to take home. Everyone enjoyed colorful cotton candy and popcorn in between playing the numerous carnival activities.

Over the next four weeks, Vera Bradley and Blessings in a Backpack’s philanthropic partnership will continue to mobilize communities, individuals, and resources to provide new backpacks and food for children who might otherwise go hungry.