Close to 5,000 kids in Corona received free school supplies during a recent “Back to School” fair.
Organized by the organization of Latin Women in Action, the fair, held on Sunday, August 23 in front of the organization’s office, at one point had a line filled with families that stretched around the block.
“I think it’s nice that they are doing this. I went to the one yesterday on 72nd Street [in Manhattan],” said Shamek Harmon, an unemployed mother of three, who was also there with her high school aged siblings. “I waited 45 minutes on line and yeah, I think it’s worth it. It’s one less school supply I have to buy.”
Throughout the summer, organization staff members and volunteers turned out to purchase supplies whenever and wherever they find discounts.
And, during the month prior and on the day of the fair, Latin Women in Action relied on about 40 volunteers to help with the community outreach and to fill the 5,000 bags – that alone took two weeks to fill, said Latin Women in Action staff member Adriana Leal.
But the volunteers really came in handy at the fair due to the overwhelming amount of families that came. Leal mentioned that there were more people this year than last and they all seemed to arrive at once.
“There were so many people! We had more supplies, more public presence, more media coverage,” said Leal. “We had people lined up from 8 a.m. and then there came a moment when it just grew. It was impressive!”
Laid out over three tables, the bags, filled with composition notebooks, crayons, pencil cases, and pencils, amongst other things, were distributed by volunteers to kids – not parents – according to whether they were in elementary, middle school or high school.
“It means a lot to me because you see how many people are out here and the real necessity they have,” said Carolyn Chica, a Corona resident who starts at SUNY Stony Brook this fall. Chica handed out supplies with her sorority sisters from Lambda Theta Alpha. “I’m lucky to be where I am and year’s back my parents could have been the ones getting school supplies for me.”
One mom’s eyes welled up when she began to explain the gift made her feel.
“For me, oh – I don’t want to cry – I feel happy,” said Norma Reyes of Flushing, the mother of Joel Ariel Reyes, who wants to be a doctor.
Another mom explained that the free supplies came at a good time.
“For me this is a great help because at this moment I am not working, only my husband and he doesn’t have a good salary,” said Blanca Minchala, a mother of three, who resides in Corona.
Haydee Zambrana, one of the founders of the organization 18 years ago and the current president, said that to make the fair happen every year – it’s in its 10th year – she relies on the sponsors, especially Councilmember Helen Sears and Senator Hiram Monserrate, both of whom contribute funds every year.
“We are proud to be co-sponsors and have formed a partnership because we know there is a need in Corona,” said Silvia Miranda, district manager for the Senator, who added that within half an hour the 500 storybooks and flashcards that the Senator’s office had brought to distribute ran out.
The Queens Courier’s sister publication, El Correo de Queens, also co-sponsored this event.
