With the first day of school around the corner for Aurora students, thousands of families participated in three free back-to-school events across the city over the weekend.
Ald. Emmanuel Llamas, 1st Ward, hosted a Back-to-School Bash on Saturday in collaboration with the Latino Fraternities and Sororities where a line stretched two city blocks around Garfield Park for the event.
The bash was held in-person for the first time. Llamas held a drive-thru school supply giveaway last year due to the pandemic.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see all of the families out,” Llamas said.
Available to the community were 500 free backpacks and school supply kits for elementary and middle school children, as well as free hot dogs and haircuts and more.
“Inflation has affected everything including the basics such as school supplies. However, we would have hosted the bash whether we were in this economic climate or not,” he said.
Ald. Patty Smith, 8th Ward, collaborated with Calvary Church and the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry for the second annual Back-to-School event with free backpacks, socks and a drive-thru food pantry where a steady stream of cars wrapped around the church parking lot on the border of Aurora and Naperville.
“When I looked down the road and saw the cars lined up during last year’s school supplies giveaway it brought tears to my eyes,” Smith said.
“For so long we didn’t think the residents in the 8th Ward needed this type of service. It was proof that we do,” Smith said.
Ald. Juany Garza, 2nd Ward, scheduled her 17th annual Ice Cream Social at McCarty Party in Aurora Sunday, where free ice cream and tacos, a live mariachi band, a clown show and other happenings were planned.
The events continue this coming weekend, first from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, when Ald. Sherman Jenkins, at large, along with the African American Men of Unity, will host the 14th annual Back-to-School Giveaway, with support from Ald. Michael Saville, 6th Ward, at Greene Field Park, 774 Illinois Ave. in Aurora. Free school supplies will be given away in a drive-thru format. Children must be present to receive supplies.
From 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, Ald. Scheketa Hart-Burns, 7th Ward, along with support from several churches and organizations, will host the 35th annual Back-to-School Bash at Dr. Martin Luther King Park, 42 N. Farnsworth Ave. in Aurora.
The event will include free school supplies, free haircuts and braiding, food, activities for kids, music and more.
City Council members are working to provide a positive kick-off for the start of the school year, city officials said.
“We know how critical it is for students to be prepared for the start of a new school year. Part of that preparation is having adequate school supplies and a successful transition from summer vacation to the classroom,” Aurora Chief Communications and Equity Officer Clayton Muhammad said.
Along with receiving school supplies, families were able to have a fun day surrounded by other children and to be around role models, officials said.
“Each event is unique, empowering and community-centered,” Muhammad said at the event Saturday in the 1st Ward. “The Latino Fraternities and Sororities provided accessible and recognizable role models for the children.”
Ald. Shweta Baid 10th Ward, kicked off the series of events last week with her Back-to-School ice cream social that included free school supplies, ice cream, raffles and activities for kids.
Parents were appreciative of the back-to-school events.
“This is our first year sending a child to school so we are going to find out just how expensive school supplies are going to get,” Mariela Vasquez said at the event in the 1st Ward on Saturday. “We are grateful for the help.”
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.