California

High Desert agents send kids back to school in style

Back to school for some Yucca Loma Elementary School students meant a new backpack stuffed with important school supplies. State Farm High Desert agents, working together with the help of the Paul Swick Family Center, helped organize the back-to-school event for children from families struggling through tough economic times.

Apple Valley Agent Guy Burnett coordinated the backpack giveaway for the students, along with fellow Agents Sharon Lopez, DJ Mathews, Matthew Hawkins, Jim Chism, Jeff Dunn, and Jerry Butterfield from Apple Valley and Victorville.

“People began to line up for the backpacks around 2:30 p.m. and the start time was 5 p.m. Although it took 90 minutes to get everyone through the line, nobody left without a backpack!” said Lorraine Pallares from State Farm’s Redlands Agency Field Office.

The State Farm branded backpacks were filled with everyday essential school supplies as well as Good Neigh Bear® pencils, coloring books and State Farm water bottles. The Good Neigh Bear made an appearance and gave hugs to all the kids.

Being a part of the community is very important to State Farm. “Providing families with a helping hand during these economic times seems to be the right thing to do.” said Agent Sharon Lopez.

Valerie Smith from The Paul Swick Family Center Foundation said, “I was so pleased we had an abundant crowd for the event! I truly was not expecting that families would be waiting outside the gate way before the event was scheduled to start! Unfortunately, I believe it is a sign of the times that families are struggling even more with basic necessities. [State Farm’s] generosity was a blessing to all of them.”

After the event, Agent Guy Burnett said, “I so enjoyed watching the children of Agent Sharon Lopez and the children of our State Farm team members – Elizabeth, Amalia, and Diana – give the packs to the kids of the school. That was a great teaching moment for the moms who brought their kids. The kids seemed to really enjoy it and that speaks great things of their parents.”