Six-year-old Mahdi Hawkins was already excited to get a new backpack Saturday morning, but it was the contents that took his excitement to another level.
Well, officially a first-grade level.
"Oh my God, there is stuff in here!" Hawkins shouted, gawking at new folders, crayons, pens, pencils and the like, his eyes growing as wide as the Grand Canyon as he jumped up and down
"Whoah!"
Mahdi's excitement spread to younger brother Bodhi, who opened up his own — and first-ever — backpack.
It was all part of the plan for organizers with The Hill Vallejo, a Christian Church off Locust Drive in the city. The annual event, featuring a jump house for kids, food and drinks including hot dogs, as well as a dunk tank where pastors of the church often ended up soaking wet, finished with some 500 backpacks given away.
It was all worth it to Pastor Fi Portillo.
"We need to get out kids to school with everything they need to help get them started for the school year," Portillo said. "Once the year goes on it won't be so expensive for parents because we've helped get them started. There is so much to already worry about."
People greet each other during a Back to School backpack giveaway at The Hill church in Vallejo on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Portillo, like Pastor Tahirah Siliezar, was excited to see cars lined up to pick up the backpacks as early as 8:30 a.m — a good half-hour before the event began.
"It was awesome," Siliezar said. "We kept telling people that we were so glad they came. The families coming that early was a surprise, but the amount of smiles we saw was not a surprise. So many people were very thankful and they love getting a jump on the new school year."
Portillo said the Hill, with help from Fighting Back Partnership, began planning for the event in the spring, culminating in a Friday night packing party.
"We had 124 volunteers," Portillo said. "Because we had that much help it only took about 45 minutes for us to stuff all the backpacks with supplies."
Following the distribution of the backpacks, there were faces to be painted and temporary tattoos to be put on.
"One of my favorite parts about today was seeing this little girl and she could not stop smiling after she got her temporary tattoo," Portillo said.
Nikki Studer said her kids were having a good time.
"There is a real sense of community here today," Studer said. "All the church staff has been accomating and very helpful."
Laura Sanchez said her kids, ages 5 and 6, were thrilled to get backpacks. The same was true for Asia Mitchell, the mom of Bodhi and Madhi Hawkins.
"We're from Maryland and just moved to Vallejo a few months ago," Mitchell said. "I'm loving all the people here. Everyone is so friendly. There is good music, good activities. Everything is all good."
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