Madeleine Cahn Photos
Kids enjoying new backpacks and pizza slices.
For the fourth year, the officers from the Westville/West Hills district celebrated the first day of school by inviting kids to the neighborhood substation for backpacks and pizza.
Another happy customer.
District Manager Sgt. Renee Dominguez, an excellent student who loved school, involved the whole community in fostering good police-community relations and sharing her enthusiasm for learning.
This year, Dominguez started seeking donations two months in advance. Residents and businesses provided support for 400 backpacks stuffed with school supplies and pizza to feed the crowd.
Pat Kalba and Kate and Bob Bradley serving pizza.
The party started at 6 p.m Monday. Westvillians Kate and Bob Bradley and Pat Kalba came to dish out the pizza. Within 30 minutes, 300 backpacks had been distributed and a stack of pies had been eaten.
In addition to food and backpacks filled with school supplies, Mitchell Library Manager Sharon Lovett-Graff was on hand helping neighbors apply for library cards
Westville/West Hills police officers gave out hundreds of backpacks.
Hopkins senior Madeleine Cahn, who has helped Dominguez fill backpacks for several years, said she believes backpacks empower children.
“They make you feel important because you are carrying knowledge, and they act as security blankets because they are filled with your belongings and go everywhere with you,” she said.
Dominguez said she loves spotting kids wearing her backpacks while she is out on patrol.
She views marking the start of school as a part of her mission to encourage kids to value education and a chance for a positive interaction between her officers and the neighborhood they serve.