Community came together on Aug. 23 to provide thousands of school supplies to local families
Students fill their free backpacks with school supplies at the City of El Monte’s Third Annual Back to School Resource Fair held on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Valley Mall. Courtesy Photo
El Monte, Calif. — The El Monte community rallied once again to support children preparing for their first day of school by providing free backpacks, haircuts and supplies at the Third Annual Back to School Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Valley Mall.
The event, opened to school-aged children who attend El Monte schools, provided students with 300 haircuts, 1,500 pairs of socks, 1,500 backpacks and numerous school supplies to start off the school year right.
“El Monte is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family,” said Councilwoman Victoria Martinez, who spearheaded the event. “Our community takes care of our children, ensuring they are prepared to start this school year off right.”
This year, a highlight of the event included the viewing of Rescue 5, one of five surviving fire trucks from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Rescue 5 is a moving museum that travels the country as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the attacks. It is currently on loan to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The “Shakey Quakey” earthquake simulator was also available to teach kids how to respond during an earthquake.
The fair also provided free fingerprinting of children by the El Monte Police Department.
The City of El Monte partnered with the Downtown El Monte Business Association, El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce, Professional Institute of Beauty, and El Monte Union High School, El Monte City and Mountain View school districts, as well as valued community organizations/businesses to host the Fair.
All resources and services were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for those attending El Monte schools.
An elementary school student picks up a pack of Crayola markers at the City of El Monte’s Third Annual Back to School Resource Fair. The fair, which was held on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Valley Mall, provided students with more than 300 haircuts, 1,500 pairs of socks, 1,500 backpacks and numerous school supplies to start off the school year right. Courtesy Photo
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