Assemblymember Chris Holden greets a family during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by the and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and members of Eta Lambda Omega Chapter at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo courtesy Assemblymember Chris Holden's office)
About 500 backpacks were given to children for the upcoming school year during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo courtesy Assemblymember Chris Holden's office)
About 500 backpacks were given to children for the upcoming school year during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Assemblymember Chris Holden greets a family during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and members of Eta Lambda Omega Chapter at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Patrice McKenzie holds school supplies that are inside the backpacks for the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Kids are given bicycle helmets during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
The annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and members of Eta Lambda Omega Chapter at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
About 500 backpacks were given to children for the upcoming school year during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Kids are given bicycle helmets during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
About 500 backpacks were given to children for the upcoming school year during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Assemblymember Chris Holden waves to a family during the annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and members of Eta Lambda Omega Chapter at the 41st Assembly District Office in Pasadena, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
California Assemblymember and former Pasadena City Councilmember Chris Holden has thrown a summertime block party every year since 2000. But the pandemic put a temporary end to that neighborly tradition last year and again this year.
One special part of those annual festivities was a school backpack giveaway, which Holden sponsored in conjunction with the local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority.
The pandemic may have temporarily stopped Holden’s perennial party, but not the community spirit behind it.
So on Saturday, Holden and members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Eta Lambda Omega Chapter forged ahead with the school backpack giveaway — pandemic style, as a drive-through giveaway event.
“It has been a really tough year for families during this pandemic, and a lot of anxiety for students going back to school,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “The giveaway is one point of relief for families who continue to struggle financially because of the pandemic as their kids are getting ready for the school year.”
This year’s giveaway received the biggest-ever response from the community. Over 500 backpacks were given away to those in need.
“We’re proud to partner with Assemblymember Holden for our annual backpack giveaway to make a difference in our community,” said Sharron Ross-Lemle, Vice President for the Eta Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. “It was great to see so many smiles handing out backpacks today.”
“Providing backpacks and school supplies is one less thing for families and their children to worry before class resume,” said Holden.
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One thought on “Kindness, Pandemic-Style”
Enjoyed reading the article. What a wonderful contribution that was presented to our youth and community. Accolades to Chris Holden and the Eta Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.