Back-to-School Drive Helps Easton Families

EASTON, Pa. (WLVT) - A week before the school year starts, students and parents waited outside Third Street Alliance for up to two hours Monday, braving heat and a long line.

Inside, an army of volunteers were ready. Stephen Flowers organized "No Child Left Behind" three years ago.

"I have a young son, and there was a few years where I really struggled and wondered where things were going to come from," he said. "Luckily, I had family and friends and clients from my business that helped me out, so I just wanted to pay that forward and help out as many people as I possibly could."

"There is a huge need, and Stephen is filling that," said Lynn Schoof, community outreach and communications manager at Third Street Alliance, "and that can't be done without the help of the rest of the community who helps, whether it’s donations [or] drop-off points for those donations."

"Everything...is 100 percent donated by people in our community," Flowers said, "and it's an amazing thing."

Jordana Turner and her three kids were one of the first families in line. They stuffed brand-new backpacks with everything they'll need for school.

"It's a blessing. Definitely is a blessing," she said. "Single mom, three kids -- definitely a blessing."

Organizers brought in ten families at a time to manage the huge turnout. Outside, students waited to get their hands on those backpacks.

"I want the Nike symbol or the Puma symbol or Jordan," said sixth grader Lazarus Cruz.

People said they were willing to stay in line for so long, because the resources save their families time and money.

"It's a good weight off your shoulder, especially around school time, because there’s so many other things you gotta get," said parent Carmen Smith. "This is one -- and it's not a little thing. It's big."

"Sometimes, it's hard for us to get stuff like that," said eighth grader Haziairh Jones. "It’s 'cause it's too much money, so we come here to get some stuff to help us out in school for bookbags [and] supplies."

Local salons offered free haircuts to students, giving them a fresh look for that first day back.

"Getting in some braids, even if it's just a fun color here and there," said Casi Melillo, a stylist at Flowers' Easton business, Suddenly Samantha Salon. "It's awesome, and they feel good, too."

"It gets crazy, and the kids have fun, and we have fun," said Lisa Patino, owner of Panache Hair Designers. "It's a great day. It turned out to be a really fun day."

"People care, and anything is possible," Flowers said." If you work hard and you give back, you go places."

Flowers said five hundred students now have new backpacks, and he'll organize the giveaway all over again next year.