FESCO Back Pack Drive- Pt. II

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We arrive this morning at 8am to donuts and coffee at the shelter in Hayward. As we wipe the sleep from our eyes, we begin to setup the items for today's back-to-school event where we will be giving 250+ backpacks packed with school supplies, school-aged clothing, while feasting on BBQ'd burgers and hot dogs for the kids. The goal is kick off the school year in a positive way for these kids who have more reasons to ditch school than go.

The kids start to line up around the corner.



Ashley (Brooke's volunteer mentor) sets up the computers to capture the feedback from the kids and families on how to improve assistance available to the families.




Brooklynn works the backpack room where she helps kids pick out the perfect backpack.


The courtyard is where all the kids and their families could enjoy music, food, and mingle with one another like a real community.

Brooklynn was such a hard worker and enjoyed herself SO much, that I had to force her to take a break and eat lunch at noon. Even then she ate a few bites of her burger then was back into the building telling me, "the families need me". To her dismay, we had to leave at 1pm due to prior engagements, however prior to us leaving she confirmed with Ashley that we are helping FESCO for the clothing drive on Sept. 19th as well as for Thanksgiving, and a part of the Adopt-A-Family program during the holidays. Words cannot express how proud I was of her today. Once again, Brooklynn seems to have grasped the meaning of a life lesson far more than I had anticipated.

She is truly better than me.

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