Children get ready for back to school at Christmas in August at McKechnie

Five-year-old Cloe Lunsford was beaming with excitement as she got in line for her new backpack for kindergarten.

“I want a pink one,” Cloe exclaimed, her smile growing even bigger as she saw a volunteer holding one.

And then it was her turn, and before she could say another one word another volunteer grabbed a small pink and purple backpack with butterflies on it and said, “This is a kindergarten bag.”

Her mother, Amanda Lunsford, knelt down and helped Cloe, who had happily grabbed onto the bag.

“It's heavy,” Cloe said. “I want to see what's in it.”

As they checked out the school supplies inside, Cloe was excited as she saw “markers!”

Nearby her brothers, ages 10 and 14, were also picking out new bags. It was not the family’s first time coming to the back to school event.

“We came last year,” Lunsford said. “It's a wonderful program, definitely helpful.”

And with that Cloe strapped her backpack on her back, ready for school.

“I am strong,” the happy 5-year-old said.

About 600 homeless children and their families in Bradenton got ready to go back to school at the sixth annual Christmas in August on Saturday at McKechnie Field, hosted by the Bradenton Kiwanis Club.

Children got backpacks loaded with school supplies and personal items, a $50 Bealls gift card, a $25 gift card for shoes, haircuts, medical, vision and dental exams in addition to so much more thanks to the more than 60 businesses, nonprofits, clubs or churches that helped make it all possible.

Lunch was provided for all the families, which they enjoyed under a tent, listening to music as they gushed over going back to school. Families were also given bags of food to take with them before they left.

“Today is bigger and better than ever,” Kiwanis event chair Karen Carpenter said. “We have more community partners. This is a very generous community helping kids get ready to go back to school and be successful.”

Children and their families considered homeless and registered in the Manatee County School District’s Project Heart or in a shelter had to receive an invitation to attend the free event.

The current official count of children considered homeless in Manatee County is 1,840. That count does not just include children living on the street but also children whose families share a home with other families, live in hotels or motels.

“Everybody wants to help kids,” said Carpenter, who arrived at McKechnie at 5:30 a.m.

Katherine Ganey watched as her 9-year-old daughter got a haircut.

“I love it,” Ganey said. “The kids look forward to it every year. They have been looking forward to it for three weeks.”

Nearby her sons, ages 7 and 11, were also taking advantage of the event.

“They like picking out their school bags and going to all the booths,” Ganey said.

Linda Agresta, a Kiwanis volunteer, helped usher in children and even some parents who took advantage of the free haircuts.

Professional hairstylists, barbers and local cosmetology students donated their time to make the haircuts possible. Some of the professionals were her former students from Manatee Technical Institute.

Fern Torres graduated in 2007 but volunteers at the event every year.

“To see my students return, that's what this whole thing is about,” Agresta said. “Every year since he was a student, (Torres) has been giving of his time and talent, giving back to his community.”

Torres smiled as he cut a little boy’s hair.

“I have three kids of my own so I know how hard it can be to get kids back on track for back to school,” Torres said. “I figure it's a good time for us to give back to the community.”

Torres was joined by other barbers from his shop, Heavy Duty Barbershop, 6513 14th St. W. in Bradenton.

“We closed until 1 p.m. today,” Torres said. “It's not much, but we hope they appreciate it.”

Twelve-year-old Manuel Caballero was all smiles with his fresh new haircut and backpack.

He was looking forward to going back to school, soon to be an eighth-grader at Harllee Middle School, he said in Spanish.

“I am looking forward to being back with my classmates,” Manuel said. “We are going to go get clothes and shoes now.”

This story was originally published August 6, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Children get ready for back to school at Christmas in August at McKechnie."