Assemblymember Akilah Weber Hosts
Annual Backpack Giveaway Event
El Cajon – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. hosted the 79th Assembly District’s 11th Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair. Many organizations came together to raise thousands of dollars to provide 1,000 K-12 students with free backpacks filled with school supplies for the new year. The event was held at the Ronald Regan Community Center in El Cajon, a new redistricted city to the 79th Assembly District.
“I am excited to bring this event to El Cajon for the first time. We know how important it is to have the tools to support a successful academic year. This is why I have continued with this remarkable event started by former Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber to ensure families and students in need are provided with the resources to jumpstart the school year. 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.
The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Upsilon Chapter in San Diego is the nonprofit that has been instrumental to this event from its inception. They are an organization of women dedicated to the educational attainment for all students. The Delta Upsilon Chapter President, Stephanie Mahan said, “We are so honored to support the community outreach and programs of the 79th Assembly District.”
The backpack giveaway event was sponsored by 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.
“I am so grateful to our event sponsors who graciously contribute to ensuring students have new backpacks and school supplies to start the school year. Building and maintaining these partnerships is significant when we put the needs of the community first. It is really great to see different sectors coming together to support this event,” said Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D.
Photos from the event can be found on Assemblymember Weber’s social media pages (@asmakilahweber) and on our website.
What our sponsors are saying:
“We’re honored to continue our sponsorship of Assembly Member Dr. Akilah Weber's Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair. This remarkable event empowers hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds in San Diego County by ensuring they are fully prepared for the upcoming school year. We want to thank Assembly Member Dr. Weber for her leadership and for graciously hosting this event that positively impacts so many K-12th graders.” – Lisa Maas, Executive Director, Californians Allied for Patient Protection.
“Household budgets are tight for families throughout the state these days mainly because of the rising cost of living,” said SDG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Legislative Officer Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell. “Most families are already thinking about back to school needs right now and for us, supporting the backpack giveaway, will hopefully help relieve some of the financial stress of these families and they can focus on getting their children ready for the new school year.”
“Amazon is committed to ensuring that children and families in need across Southern California receive the support they require. We are proud to team up with Assemblymember Akilah Weber to provide hundreds of San Diego students with free backpacks and essential school supplies because we know that a strong foundation in education is essential to a child's success in life," said David Ambroz, Head of Community Engagement for Amazon.
“The Auto Club of Southern California is honored to support the critical efforts of Assembly Member Akilah Weber and local organizations in providing backpacks and other school supplies to San Diego families,” said Lincoln Tomlin, the Auto Club’s Vice President for Public Affairs.
“Assemblymember Akilah Weber’s Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair is a cause close to our hearts and something we’ve supported for years in many communities we serve, so we are delighted to sponsor this event,” said Thomas Tran, director, Community and Local Government Engagement, Blue Shield Promise Health Plan. “We know the importance of these academic tools because they can inspire confidence and a sense of hope for success in the classroom.”
###