EAST ST. LOUIS -- Red, blue, green, gray, blue and black book bags filled with school supplies were stacked atop a table at the Lessie Bates Day Care Center on State Street.
As they collected book bags Saturday, parents and children left the center smiling.
Bill Kreeb, executive director of Lessie Bates Neighborhood House, said there were 1,046 book bags to be given to students. And, there were satchels available for preschoolers and kindergartners. He said Lessie Bates and Joe Hubbard of Catholic Urban Programs jointly sponsored the event.
Deja McDowell, 12, was on hand with her father, Earl McDowell, passing out book bags to students.
Deja, a student at A.M. Jackson, said, "It makes me feel good to be a part of a community outreach event. I am volunteering. When I see the children smile after they get their book bags, it makes me happy. I know they need these supplies for school."
The men from Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity were on hand to help distribute the book bags. Earl McDowell is a member of the organization.
St. Clair County Circuit Judge Milton Wharton, a member of Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity, also was on hand.
Wharton said he hoped the presence of the men from his fraternity would, "in a small way, show many children who might not have a male in the home that there are male role models who're concerned about their interests."
Beatrice Foots, from Gibson Health Services, at 1468 State St., did blood pressure checks for free.
A large crowd had started gathering by 9 a.m., so organizers started giving out the book bags at 9:30 a.m. although the event was scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
By 10:45 a.m., more than 600 people had come through the doors, Kreeb said. He said the book bags cost $395.
Lisa Miller showed up to the event with her three nieces and three children. She said, "I am very happy that they do this for our community. This helps me out. ... I look forward to this event every year."
Romero Burries, a student at Avant Elementary School, was all smiles as he launched his book bag across his shoulders.
Asked for his thoughts on getting a new book bag and supplies, he said: "It makes it easier for my mother. She won't have to go out and get me and my brother book bags."
Deon Burries, 11, a sixth-grader at Wyvetter Younge Middle School, opened his bag and showed off his folders, notebooks, pens and erasers. He said he planned to take lots of notes and be a good student this year.
Their mother, Selma Burries, said she works at Lessie Bates Neighborhood House and can appreciate the help she received Saturday.
"We all try to assist all of the children and adults in the area in social services as they need them. This book bag giveaway helps children in school from K-12th grade. But we do things for seniors and adults who need assistance."
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