PALMDALE – A local nonprofit organization will give disadvantaged students the tools needed to start the new school year at a Backpack Giveaway and fun day on August 17.
The third annual One Way Up Backpack Giveaway will be held from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, August 17 at Melville J. Courson Park, located 38226 10th Street East in Palmdale.
“We’ll have music, a barbecue, games for the kids… it’s more like a fun, family-reunion type of setting,” said One Way Up CEO Cynthia Beverly. “This is definitely for the low-income families out here that really don’t have the money to get things for school; the families on DPSS [Department Of Public Social Services] that only get $500 [a month] to take care of their whole family.”
The annual Backpack Giveaway has continued to grow since its inception. Organizers gave away 400 backpacks at the first event, 800 backpacks at the second event, and hope to give away well over 1,000 backpacks at this year’s event.
“When I see those smiles on those kid’s faces just to get a backpack and a pencil and paper, it’s a blessing to me,” Beverly said. “That’s all I’m looking for is a smile.”
Local business and organizations that have joined the effort include Walgreens, Home Depot, Lowes, the Palmdale High School District and Antelope Valley High School District.
Residents can donate to this effort by dropping off new backpacks or school supplies to one of two locations: Angels Bingo Hall at 2101 East Palmdale Boulevard in Palmdale or the Palmdale Water District at 2029 East Avenue Q in Palmdale.
To find out what school supplies are needed or for more information on this event, contact Cynthia Beverly at cynthiabeverly50@aol.com.
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KOUI says
Give a kid a backpack, supply him for a semester. Teach him how to mow the neighbors lawn for money and he can buy his own backpack and much,much more.
sikntired says
Yup.Not to mention self esteem and stuff like that.
hello says
Matthew 25:31-46
Mr. Mister says
Perfect!
sikntired says
“If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime.
Concerned nana says
The picture doesn’t show “kids” picking up the supplies, it shows the Parents picking up supplies. Also where are the disadvantaged Caucasian children shown in this giveaway? I see only African-American and Hispanic people in these pictures. Sheesh!
IJS says
Disadvantage Caucasian children.. :-0 is their such a thing is this world…lol your too funny
Concerned nana says
Certainly there are…look at the local schools and see how many have free lunches and not so perfect or stylish clothes. Open your eyes and REALLY see the people in the A.V. and not just the ones you want to see. Being poor is not something that just happens to the African Americans or Hispanics…
Bye Bye says
Oh, and Justice4All you indicated that they will just grow up to beg borrow or steal if they can’t find work. What the heck are they already doing? OMG
Justice4All says
Good job Cynthia. Its always nice to see people like you go out of their way to help others. Especially giving to children who may not be able to afford the supplies they need for school. <3 Hopefully all the children in need show up, and not those already with the supplies who just want to get something because its free and take from those who really need it. And that is for all you commenting negatively on those who depend on DPSS. You know you will probably send your children out there anyway so you can save yourself some money. Not all are able to have jobs. There are plenty of people with EDUCATION who are unemployed and in the work force. DPSS helps those along the way, people who are left with nothing from a hardship. It is there to help those in need also!
Mr. Mister says
Which lady in red?
bleh says
LOL! I know right? Cynthia is the one with the holes on the shirt on the right …
Bye Bye says
They get way more than $500 to take care of their “whole” family. When I was raising kids, I had to give up a lot in order to provide for my kids and get them school clothes and supplies. And I was NOT receiving any government assistance. Sorry for the kids, but by the picture shown here it indicates to me that they are just another generation coming up that expect us to help them. Those kids have attitude. within 10 years their kids will be in line just like them.
Justice4All says
Sounds like you want a generation where the kids live by ” Beg, Borrow, or Steal” If they cant find work. Oh what a generation that would be!LOL…What this pictures shows is that people are giving and caring, and can help one another out! It is not a child’s fault if he or she cant not have what they need due to their parents financial situation. And kudos to you for how you raised your kids. Now, Set an example, instead of criticizing other who are helping whole heartedly :)
Bye Bye says
I’ve set my example with 2 law abiding WORKING men. One in the Air Force 15+ years now and he is raising 2 kids with the same values. What we really need to do is take these kids from their parents, put them in a community home, show them work skills and how to work for what you want and need. Like I said before, from the looks on these kids faces, they already have attitude and will be lost to the welfare generation. As long as you help people and make it so they don’t have to work, they will never work. And you don’t know me, you don’t know that I currently have school supplies I bought today for under-priviledged kids, and that I volunteer to help the needy. It’s the kids that are needy it’s the parents that are lazy. If momma would give up just one trip to the nail salon she could buy her kids supplies.
Mi says
What about those of us parents that do work but still struggle from day to day to afford things such as school supplies for our children. My husband and I by all means are not lazy and work very hard for the little bit of money that we do make and have to live pay check to pay check because of uprising costs for utilities, groceries and every day essentials that when it comes to purchasing school supplies it is very difficult when the extra money is not there.
I do understand where you are going with generation after generation continuing the same patterns as previous and yes there are a lot of lazy people out there that would rather live off of tax payers dollars but not ALL are like you describe. I think that it is wonderful that there are those out there that are willing to help those that actually need it.
IJS says
@ Bye Bye why the crickets?…. Mi asked you a very good question. What a great suggestion to have these children taken from their parents, that will show them. Then we can place into the same system that didn’t protect Little Gabriel. Judge not less ye be judged. You have formulated an opinion from a photo of children smiling with backpacks filled with school supplies. Is is because they are Black and Hispanic, that they are already the next generation of welfare recipients? What if they become the next generation of scholars, who because of the generosity showed to them go on to do great things.
Mr. Mister says
Because they posed silly in a picture they are headed for a life of crime? Had the photographer taken the same picture with 3 young white boys posing the same way, would you feel the same way about their futures? You don’t have to be honest here, and you probably won’t be, but at some point you need to be honest with yourself.
Mark says
I give these people enough of my tax dollars.
Mr. Mister says
Whether that may have truth to it or not, these children are not responsible for the actions/lack of actions by their parents. Help a child get education is the general message.
Justice4All says
Well said!