By Darrel Wheeler and Voice & Viewpoint Staff
As the new school year approaches school supplies are a very important component to the educational experience. Last Saturday, 79th District State Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. and her team did their part in helping school-age kids with free backpacks and school supplies at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.
Assemblymember Weber, M.D. hosted the district’s 11th Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair, with organizations coming together to raise thousands of dollars towards free school supplies for the new year. El Cajon is a new redistricted city to the 79th Assembly District. Families had to show some patience as they endured the long entry line that wrapped halfway around the block on East Douglas Avenue.
“I’ve been working with Akilah and her mother Shirley Weber for years. This has to be one of the biggest turnouts. I think this is definitely a very important event. You can’t go wrong when it comes to helping kids with their education,'” State Assembly District 79 candidate Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins shared.
“The joy on the students’ faces as they get their brand-new backpacks makes the months of planning all worth it,” said Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D.
Sponsors and supporters included the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Upsilon Chapter in San Diego, The San Diego Foundation, IBEW Local 569/NECA San Diego, Californians Allied for Patient Protection, UFCW Local 135, SDG&E, Barona Band of Mission Indians, The Automobile Club of Southern California, Davita, Amazon, and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan.
