Hundreds of children and parents gathered at Perris Hill Park for a day of school-supply giveaways, family activities and connections to community resources. / IVN Photo by Ryan Martinez

San Bernardino, CA – Hundreds of Inland Empire families gathered at Perris Hill Park on Aug. 8 for the fifth annual “Back to School Extravaganza”, where children received free backpacks, school supplies, shoes, community resources, sports physicals and food to help prepare for the new school year.

This event, held by the Pi Rho and Sigma Eta Chapters of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, brought together nonprofit organizations and government agencies, to connect families with their services and provide resources to the community.

Smiles were contagious, as children and parents celebrated a day of community along with organizations and volunteers.

Along with providing supplies to the community, the back to school extravaganza included extracurricular activities designed for fun! These activities included: a mechanical bull, petting zoo, bouncy slide, STEM activities, video game truck, and a lively DJ playing music throughout as well as announcing giveaways.

The event was successful in serving the community, providing more than 1000 backpacks, 150 pairs of shoes, 15 Chromebooks, and over $500 in food gift cards.

For the Pi Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Inc., this event is a mission straight from the heart of their cardinal principles, to uplift.

Volunteers distribute backpacks and other school essentials as families move through the resource stations at the fifth annual Back to School Extravaganza in San Bernardino. / IVN Photo by Ryan Martinez

The President of the Pi Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Inc., Jamemy Barnett, said how this event is important to their organization to serve and provide for communities that are marginalized and could benefit from community support.

“We believe it is important to us to be in the community, serving areas that are marginalized that may benefit from these resources to have a good foundation to kick off the school year. Bringing in other community partners so they could also bring in additional resources, to not only the kids but their families, will empower them to have a great start to the school year.”

Barnett emphasized the importance of working together with all of these organizations.

“It is about unity. When you think about a time where there are so many ways that people can be separate, this is a cause that brings everyone together, for one common good, and that is to support kids and families. You see it here with different organizations like C.O.P.E, fraternities, sororities, county offices, to the board of supervisors, we are all coming together for one purpose and that is to demonstrate unity.”

With over a dozen organizations present, there was no shortage of the community being supportive of one another.

The National Association of University Women- Southwest Section Inland Empire Branch was also present, with their mission to serve youth, women, families, and the disadvantaged in the Inland Empire. With their organization focused on addressing educational issues, advancing women’s issues, and partnering with allied organizations.

Branch President Rebecca Betties gave insight on why events like this matter to the community.

“These events are important because they help to service the underprivileged, especially in the Inland Empire. As an Inland Empire resident, born and raised, I believe these events help to bring social awareness, community engagement, and also allows us to have a stronger presence in the Inland Empire, particularly San Bernardino where it is lacking in certain areas.”

100 Black Men of the Inland Empire also participated in the Extravaganza, giving away school supplies and information about their organization, focused on mentoring young people and serving the community. The organization’s mission is centered on four pillars: mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment.

President Alonzo Duncan shared why supporting students and families is important to their organization.

“A lot of our support is giving back to them. Everyone is not getting this opportunity, if you go into the upperclass communities, we don’t get this. Our kids are the ones struggling so we have to give them that extra hand, that extra support, that extra push.”

Members of the National Association of University Women–Southwest Section, Inland Empire Branch, welcomed families and shared information about the organization’s educational and community service programs during the fifth annual Back to School Extravaganza at Perris Hill Park. / IVN Photo by Ryan Martinez

Families were appreciative of all of the organization’s efforts to help the community. One parent expressed their gratitude for this event and what it provided for families.

“It is really amazing that all of these different organizations can band together and give back to people who really need it. Right now it’s a hard time for a lot of people, so it is great we can get some supplies and not worry about it being part of my check. I’ll be forever thankful for events like this.”

The assistance of supplies and information provided families a head start for the new school year.

This event served as a reminder that no one has to face difficult times alone. Through community, people can come together and support one another. Families who attended not only received essential supplies, but also a reminder that there are people they may never have met who are rooting for them to succeed.

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Article By: Ryan Martinez, Inland Valley News