Fred Levin Way Fest nearly doubled attendance, helping thousands of families

From Staff Reports
Updated ·2 min read
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The second annual Fred Levin Way Fest exceeded Levin family expectations, drawing 7,500 attendees to the downtown event on Sunday and almost doubling attendance at the inaugural celebration in 2022.

Families were greeted by 55 nonprofit organizations, all of which provided a variety of essential items and resource information for families. By the end of the day, more than 74,000 items had been distributed.

  • 1,000 backpacks

  • 1,000 batteries

  • 1,000 blankets

  • 1,000 body wash/shampoo/conditioner

  • 1,000 body wipes

  • 3,000 books

  • 1,500 deodorant

  • 3,000 detergent packets

  • 20,000 diapers

  • 1,000 first aid kits

  • 1,000 floss

  • 4,500 free meals

  • 2,000 fresh fruit

  • 1,000 hygiene kits

  • 1,000 person safety alarms

  • 2,000 pounds of pet food

  • 3,000 pill boxes and dispensers

  • 1,000 pocket magnifiers

  • 1,000 rain ponchos

  • 3,000 sanitary napkins

  • 2,000 school supplies

  • 2,000 socks

  • 1,000 summer bags (sunscreen, skin lotion, burn gel)

  • 1,000 thermometers

  • 2,000 rolls of toilet paper

  • 2,000 toothbrushes

  • 1,000 toothpaste

  • 1,000 towels

  • 3,000 toys, games and prizes

  • 2,000 tuna pouches, peanut butter and granola bars

  • 2,400 underwear

  • 1,000 water bottles

  • 1,000 wired ear buds

Fred Levin Way Fest: Fred Levin's legacy continues with 'Celebration of Giving.'

Everyone who attended was also treated to a free meal from a variety of food trucks at the event.

In its second year, the "Fred Levin Way Fest: A Celebration of Giving" honored the late lawyer and philanthropist Fred Levin.

Levin passed away in 2021 at the age of 83 from complications related to COVID-19. He was born and raised in Pensacola where he became a renowned attorney, a boxing promoter and a philanthropist who was often referred to as the "world's greatest lawyer" during his long career.

While he was alive, Levin made more than $35 million in philanthropic donations to universities, nonprofit organizations and hospitals. After his death, his estate continued to donate.

The Levin children wanted to continue their father's philanthropy, which led them to creating the Fred Levin Fest in 2022. In addition to the giveaways, it was important to the family to connect community members with resources in the community that were available all year.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fred Levin Way Fest 2023 in Pensacola nearly doubled attendance