Download the 2011 Flyers

Spanish Version HERE

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS

AADAP Inc.

The Brotherhood Crusade

The California Conservation Corps

The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints

University of Southern California (USC)
Office Of Religious Life

ENTERTAINERS

Kenton Duty – Disney’s “Shake It Up”

Blake Michael – Disney’s “Lemonade Mouth”

Dorian "Purpose" Warmsley – Club Judah

Michelle "Hope" Walker – Club Judah

"Sunny Dayz" – Club Judah

Alexandria Blackbird – Blackbird Dance Company

Aaron “Reborn” Anderson - Martyr

First AME Church Youth Choir

Tito Mora – POWER 106

Rudy Borrayo – POWER 106

Abby Piñon – POWER 106

 FAME Church Photos, Clayton Everett, Haywood Galbreath - 9/10/11

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

Skechers   ~   The Dodgers   ~   Vans   ~   Kimberly Freeman, Director of Community Relations      
Sempra Energy   ~   Deborah Watson-Triggs, Branch Manager, VP, Union Bank   ~   Kaiser Permanente
Ortiz Investments, Inc  ~    Vans   ~   Char Bland Vertical Market Manager   ~   Office Depot   ~   Disney     
Athens Services   ~   Unified   ~   WSS Warehouse Shoe Sale   ~   KJLH 102.3 FM   ~   Power 106 FM

FAME’s 7th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway Surpasses Expectations
and Helps Thousands of Los Angeles’ Neediest Children Get Ready for School

LOS ANGELES, CA – First AME Church and its family of corporations (FAME) held its 7th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway and Health Fair on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the FAME Renaissance Center in South Los Angeles. Joined by generous sponsors and its network of community partners, FAME served more than 5,000 low income children and their families, preparing them to participate fully in their educational pursuits in the year ahead.

The costs associated with the start of the new school year can severely stretch the budgets of low income families. Equipping a child for school typically costs over $100, which is beyond the reach of many families and causes severe economic hardship for those already struggling to make ends meet.

Supported by corporate sponsors including Skechers, Vans, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Office Depot, Union Bank and Southern California Gas, FAME was able to provide backpacks, school supplies and a new pair of shoes to thousands of children aged 5-17. Working with local health partners and community resource organizations, attendees were offered free blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol tests, and body mass index screenings, as well as information on free tutoring services and after school programs. Attendees also enjoyed free lunch, snacks and water, as well as all-day entertainment hosted by Power 106 FM at the Let’s Move L.A. Kidz Stage.

FAME has seen the demand for this event grow dramatically over the past few years. Started in 2005 by First Lady Denise Hunter, the Back-to-School Giveaway originally served a few hundred. 2011 proved the largest giveaway yet, reaching more than 5,000 students. Families waited in line for several hours to receive their free school supplies, with the most dedicated lining up the night before.

“We all know that the most vulnerable members of our community bear the brunt of the consequences of our stalled economy, however, nothing brings it home like seeing a mother and her three children camped out on lawn chairs for over twelve hours to receive free backpacks and shoes,” said Denise Hunter, President and COO of FAME Corporations. “It’s heartbreaking, and yet I am very grateful that through the support of our partners we were able to help so many children this year, and turned no one away. I hope this small example might serve as a wake-up call to our political leaders that families in low income communities are in desperate need of solutions, not more wasteful posturing.”

Several civic leaders came out to show their support, greet their constituents and lend a hand in distributing backpacks to children, such as California State Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. (represented by Angie English); Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas; Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen A. Trutanich accompanied by his wife Noreen; Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel; Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry; and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Bernard C. Parks. Entertainers including Disney’s Kenton Duty and Blake Michael, Club Judah and the Rej3ctz stopped by to perform onstage, take photos and sign autographs. KJLH’s street team was on hand to report during the day, and Power 106’s talented DJs kept the music flowing.

“We are always gratified to serve those in need, and when they are children, our desire to help is even greater. It’s been a glorious day, and we are happy to see so many smiling faces as kids are leaving with new backpacks on their shoulders and shoes on their feet. It makes all the effort and sacrifice worthwhile,” said Reverend Dr. John J. Hunter, Senior Pastor, First AME Church of Los Angeles, summing up the experiences of the day.

FAME Assistance Corporation (FAC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation affiliated with the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles (FAME).

Founded in 1872, FAME is the oldest church founded by African Americans in Los Angeles. Today, FAME boasts a congregation of more than 19,000 members and several dozen ministries, while remaining true to its long tradition of charitable service, fostering enterprise development, and supporting community empowerment. Founded after the Civil Unrest in 1992, FAC has been a driving force in the economic development of South Central Los Angeles and surrounding communities for almost 20 years, offering programs for lending, enterprise development, job creation, as well as health and environmental services as part of a comprehensive plan to develop South Central Los Angeles economically, socially, mentally and politically. Visit www.famecorps.org or www.famechurch.org for more information.