Maywood Park in Hammond was crowded with hundreds of people on a recent Saturday, but not everyone was swimming or picnicking.
Many were there for the 14th Annual School Supply Give Away sponsored by Hammond 3rd District Councilman Anthony Higgs in collaboration with Hammond High School Parent Teacher Student Association.
Host Carlotta Blake-King kept the crowd organized as children began to line up. Five hundred book bags and many boxes of school supplies were at the ready,
“We have people in need, experiencing hard times,” Blake-King said of the purpose of the get-together. “Councilman Higgs wanted to take this (event) to another level. We care about the people we serve.”
Parent Jabarr Bailey was in attendance with his five daughters.
“This is a great thing to do for the kids,” he said. “Quite a few people are benefiting today.”
Also during the afternoon, lunch was served, compliments of Higgs and 1st Choice Market in Hammond.
Manning burgers on the grill were Hammond Councilman Bob Markovich and Georgetta Moran of the Hammond Department of Human Services.
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“There’s always a large cost to get kids ready for school,” Moran said. “This (event) is life-saving for parents that can’t afford to buy school supplies.”
Hammond High School was represented by its Bible Club, Junior ROTC and dozens of cheerleaders.
Noemi Canelo of Portage is a former Hammond High School teacher who has worked with the Bible Club. She is still involved and accompanied members as they gave the opening prayer.
Canelo also commented on the lack of a music program at the high school.
“Many of the kids are missing out,” she said. “The band serves many purposes.”
Hammond High School alumni Tom Byelick, one of the co-hosts of the giveaway, also addressed the absence of a band program at the high school. He is doing his part to assist, offering fundraising programs through his business, The Tomfoolery Show. Performances are comedies and concerts.
The cheerleaders performed a few of their routines to the delight of the crowd.
Mary Lewis of Hammond was taking a stroll on the park’s walking path when she observed the festivities.
She happened to see one of her neighbors and her children, so approached them to see what was going on.
“What a wonderful thing to have for these Hammond families,” she said of the school supply giveaway. “We have quite a few single parents that have a lot of stress getting the kids ready for school. Bless everyone that put this together.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.