Lynette Niebla
BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – As the first day of school approaches, families in Brawley are getting some much-needed financial relief thanks to a massive community collaboration.
The Comité de Acción del Valle (CAV) partnered with local leaders, community groups, and healthcare organizations to host a special back-to-school drive.
The event aimed to ease the growing financial burden on local households during a time when inflation continues to drive up the cost of everyday classroom supplies.
The high demand was evident early in the day, with a line of parents and eager students stretching entirely out the door and all the way down Main Street.
A major highlight of the day was the distribution of 200 free backpacks, which were donated directly by the office of Sen. Stephen Padilla (D-CA).
“We feel so touched that the community, the Imperial Valley, not just Brawley, trusts us enough to come,” said Terry Rodriguez, General Supervisor for Comité de Acción del Valle. “Times are tough, things are really expensive, especially school supplies. They can get hiked up around the school year, and we’re just so grateful.”
Joining the giveaway effort was the Emilio Nares Foundation, which set up shop to ensure students left fully prepared to learn.
The foundation provided children with free books, shirts, toys, and essential classroom materials.
“We want to provide them with the tools and the materials that they need to start good in school,” explained Frank Espinoza, Family Resource Center Manager for the Emilio Nares Foundation. “We’re excited to partner up with Senator Padilla and the Valley in general.”
The event went beyond traditional back-to-school items by integrating critical community health resources.
Medical teams from the Imperial Valley Health Care District, UC San Diego Health, and Imperial County Public Health were on-site providing care, answering questions, and distributing resource folders.
Resident physicians from Imperial County Behavioral Health also attended to interact with the kids and open their eyes to future career paths.
“As a female physician, I want to set that example for young learners that if they want to pursue medicine, [they can],” said Dr. Haylee Trulson.
Her colleague, Dr. Samantha Alvarez, echoed that sentiment saying, “A lot of kids feel like they don’t have a lot of things to look up to or look forward to, and we want to be that.”
For these four resident physicians who are brand new to the valley, the backpack giveaway served as their very first local outreach event. They marveled at the vibrant energy and spirit found inside the room.
“You can see everyone’s just so happy here,” noted Dr. Dani Aizenman. “It’s great to see everyone having this great mood, so I think we’re excited to do a lot more of it.”
Dr. Ali Saeed added, “I really appreciate having the opportunity to come over here and meet everybody and to be at an event like this. I feel like it’s so great for the community.”
For local parents, the event was nothing short of a lifesaver.
One local resident shared the collective feeling of the crowd, stating, “Financially, things have been difficult, so having stuff like this in the community is super. It’s a blessing.”
As the doors closed, organizers reflected on the hundreds of smiling students now packed with new supplies and backed by a supportive network of neighbors.
“I’m so happy, I feel great,” Rodriguez said, looking over the crowd. “Not because we’re doing this work, but because we’re meeting the need of the community, and that can be shown by the amount of people that showed up today.”
According to Comité de Acción del Valle, the giveaway is just the beginning as the organization plans to launch several more programs in the near future under its expanding education outreach initiative.
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Courtesy: Yuma Union High School
Courtesy: Yuma Union High School
Courtesy: Yuma Union High School
Courtesy: Yuma Union High School
Courtesy: Yuma Union High School
Courtesy: Yuma Union High School
Courtesy: GoFundMe
