A Bronx community is safer after 76 people got free COVID-19 vaccines at the Vaccination Day and Family Festival sponsored by the UFT’s United Community Schools initiative and health care provider MetroPlus on June 4 at the Bronx Writing Academy. “The UFT and our United Community Schools’ mission is to have all students return to city school buildings safely in the fall,” said UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford. “Providing easy access to the vaccines enables us to provide another level of safety for our families.” The event at the school in the Morrisania section of the Bronx featured a DJ, a balloon artist, an ice cream cart, giant video games and a raffle for Apple AirPods. Those who were vaccinated will get their second shot on June 25. It was a great day for the whole family, said Nick Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement, “with the gift of health and peace of mind at the center of it all.”