The line was up the stairs and out the door of the La Crosse Center Arena Wednesday morning, as hundreds of children eagerly awaited their chance to pick out a backpack full of crisp new folders and pristine pencils at the annual Back 2 School distribution event, a collaboration between Catholic Charities and The Salvation Army in La Crosse.
More than 850 students were registered to select a set of school supplies at the event, with 500 also receiving a new outfit, and by 8 a.m. more than 100 had already passed through.
"You would have thought people were coming in here to see Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber or something," said Nick Ragner, public relations coordinator for The Salvation Army.
Now in its sixth year, the event served 150 more individuals than last year, and financial donations were up as well, totaling about $11,000. Families were allowed to take items for every child in the household, with no requirements other than being enrolled in K-12 and pre-registering.
Catholic Charities managed the school supply donation drive, using monetary donations from Shopko, Menards, Chart and the La Crosse Kiwanis Club to purchase additional supplies, and The Salvation Army handled clothing collection.
Community members purchased 400 outfits to donate using request tags posted in Valley View Mall, and Salvation Army employees purchased the last 100 outfits on Tuesday, thanks to donations from Dave's Guitar Shop, LHI and Bethel Lutheran Church. New this year, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield arranged for three stylists to provide free haircuts at the event, and about 50 children were expected to take part. Dozens of community volunteers helped families sign in and locate needed items.
"This is a great way to build the community and come together ... it gives people a chance to see what kind of help some people might need and support them," Ragner said. "This isn't any one (entity) putting this on ... it's 'Let's come together under the umbrella of back to school.'
"It's having different agencies, community volunteers and businesses wrapping around their own," agreed Kevin Burch, director of St. Lawrence Community Services at Catholic Charities. "This year I think the community really stepped it up."
While the event is a huge undertaking — planning begins months in advance — Ragner finds the children's reactions endlessly rewarding.
"Honestly, it kind of makes the grind worthwhile," Ragner said. "It feels like for the last week I've been living and breathing black trash bags (filled with) kid's supplies, but when you see them come in with smiles on their faces ... just to see the gratefulness people have is really cool."
"Seeing a kid with her mouth agape when we gave her a backpack — that's not something I can just be told about behind a desk," agreed Alex Riley, the new volunteer coordinator for The Salvation Army. "It's nice to see it in person."
Selecting a backpack was a highlight for many, and Makirah Sheard, 10, chose one featuring a colorful design before hopping in the stylist chair for a fresh cut.
"I like getting my hair done," Sheard said.
Lorelei Hickman, 7, found a sheet of yellow bird cutouts and a plastic organizer to add to her school supply stash, while sister Lilian selected markers, notebooks and scissors.
"They (the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities) always help anyone who needs it," Lorelei said, clutching her items.
"I think it's really cool they're doing something if you don't have the money to buy the school supplies you can just come here," Liliana said.
This was the first year the girls, both students at Northwoods Elementary, signed up for Back 2 School event, and mom Dawn Hickman, who lost her job last year after falling ill, was quick to express her appreciation.
"I never needed to come before," Dawn said. "This year I needed a little help...I'm just cutting it, unfortunately. It means a lot. It means (my kids) aren't going into the classroom empty handed. I think this is wonderful — it helps so many people. It's just a blessing."
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