San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
It’s the early bird who gets the backpack
Families lined up as early as 5 a.m. to get into the Back 2 School Expo at Freeman Coliseum, which offered free back-toschool necessities — but didn’t open till 9 o’clock.
The expo partnered with multiple organizations to provide free immunizations, sports physicals, school supplies, backpacks, haircuts, books and more to attendees.
According to staff, the expo attracted about 4,500 families last year, and that figure was expected to rise this year. The event had more than 40 participating organizations.
“Every little bit of school supplies are going to help out, and it’s going to add up,” attendee Susan Allen said.
Allen brought her granddaughter who will be a secondgrader in the East Central Independent School District.
She described the list of needed supplies that she was given by the district to purchase as “a mile long,” and said she was grateful for any help she could get.
Families received free backpacks and school-supply bundles. According to an event official, about 3,500 backpacks were donated. Though these backpacks ran out about 10 a.m., other groups were offering free backpacks as well throughout the expo.
Individuals who donated backpacks between July 1 and Thursday through the San Antonio Aquarium received an admission ticket to the aquarium.
Similarly, those who donated more than $15 worth of school supplies through Sea World received an admission ticket there.
“Attendees are primarily families from the South and East sides of San Antonio, people that live around here and really need the help, but it’s open to everyone,” head of operations Jennifer Schultz said. “So anybody can come and have a good time.”
The expo had events such as book readings, a karate show, a meet-and-greet with Spurs firstround pick Luka Samanic and the appearance of Rampage’s mascot T-bone and the Spurs’ Coyote.
“It has grown tremendously over the years,” Schultz said.
For the first time, the event rented another space to allow attendees to wait indoors rather than outside. For those who came around the time the expo opened, the wait was up to an hour.
First-time attendees included Yvette Vanermerik and her kindergarten son.
“I thought this would be the perfect event to get him excited for school,” Vanermerik said.
All booths were intended to be exciting for the kids, having interactive items like spinning a wheel to win a prize. Students from elementary to high school age attend the event.
“The activities are great for the kids. As long as they’re having fun,” Allen said.
Madelyn Little comes every year with her two children who are enrolled in elementary schools in San Antonio ISD.
“I have to take advantage of the free supplies,” Little said.