BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Three curious children asked if they could pet the city's mounted patrol horses, as other kids formed a line indoors to get butterflies and spiders painted on their faces Monday.
Earlier in the day, McGruff the Crime Dog posed for selfies with eager children, who smiled next to the crime-fighting pup.
It was a day of fun for hundreds of families during Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley's second annual back- to-school bash.
"Honestly, it's just a blessing."Raymond Santiago, executive director of the Hispanic Center
Free buzz-cuts, backpacks
As a DJ spun a mix of pop, bachata and freestyle tunes, school-bound students — in grades kindergarten through high school — picked up free backpacks and gleefully filled them with supplies like pencils, pens, coloring books, hand sanitizer, crayons and bookmarks.
In total, 400 backpacks were donated for the back-to-school bash at 520 E. Fourth St. by companies such as Verizon Wireless and Walmart.
Kids wearing black salon smocks sat patiently in makeshift chairs as barbers and stylists from the Final Touch Barber Shop a few blocks up the road shaved and cut their hair.
"The haircuts are probably one of the best things. As someone with a child, my son's haircut at seven years old can cost $40," said Raymond Santiago, executive director of the Hispanic Center.
Santiago was named the center's executive director in August 2023.
"As a father and as someone who has a high schooler and then also an elementary school, I understand how important this is to the community," he said. "For families it removes the stress of having to purchase supplies, and what's great about this event is that families are getting connected to a lot of research that they didn't even know existed that can help them out throughout the year. Honestly, it's just a blessing."
On the other side of the room, makeup artist Kim Einsla painted small faces with cat whiskers, rainbows and dinosaurs.
Those who came with an appetite grabbed free hot dogs, and by noontime, volunteers brought in boxes of pizza donated from local eateries such as Campus Pizza and Nick's Pizza.
In total, 16 organizations including Highmark Health, ESSA Bank and Zoellner Arts Center manned the rows of tables inside the center's main recreational room.
Info on health care, college savings plans
Along with obtaining school supplies, parents were handed pamphlets from health care providers and financial institutions.
The information, printed in both English and Spanish, included tips on ways to save for college and how residents can obtain low-cost dental services and vaccinations.
"I think having these events are wonderful. It really creates that sense of community and providing the resources and support that many families need, but making it fun for the kids and that they get excited about going back to school," said Ellen Denizard, community engagement manager for Star Community Health Center.
In the room filled with colorful balloons and a "Welcome Back" sign for students, Denizard's colleague spoke with a parent in her native Spanish.
"Almost all of our front-end staff is bilingual and many of our providers are bilingual in English, Spanish, Arabic," Denizard added. "We have some Vietnamese-speaking providers and Portuguese, which are the main languages that we serve in the Lehigh Valley. We try to make all our patients feel comfortable."
Santiago peered up at the blue skies early in the day, impressed with the turnout at the event held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"For our community, especially when speaking about the Hispanic community, it's important that families feel comfortable and show that trust in us."Raymond Santiago, executive director of the Hispanic Center
"For our community, especially when speaking about the Hispanic community, it's important that families feel comfortable and show that trust in us," he said.
"We're grateful that they want to come here and bring their children, because they know they're going to get the help that they need and felt safe and secure. There's positive energy here."
Founded in 1968, the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley offers programs for seniors through its Basilio Huertas Senior Program, along with a food pantry, and the St. Luke's Hope Clinic and Cultural and Linguistic Workforce Development Center.
