SAN ANTONIO – More than 1,000 runners gathered at SeaWorld San Antonio with a shared mission: collecting school supplies for students in Edgewood Independent School District.
Families, teachers, and kids showed up on Sunday for the San Antonio Fear Free Environment 5K Fun Run, proudly carrying backpacks and boxes filled with essential supplies. Runners of all ages participated—ranging from young children to parents pushing strollers—each contributing to help local students start the school year prepared.
This event, now in its second year, was organized by the San Antonio Police Department’s San Antonio Fear Free Environment (SAFFE) unit. Officer Jairo Sanchez emphasized their commitment to supporting a district facing significant challenges. “We met with the faculty and the district, and geographically it is one of the poorest districts within the Bexar County region,” he stated. “It’s very humbling that they’re supporting this event as well, so that’s what we’re going to keep trying to do every year.”
Edely Olvera, Edgewood ISD’s lead parent liaison, expressed her gratitude for the community’s support. “We’re excited,” she said. “We can’t wait to see what we’re going to give to our students, and it’s going to be a lot. So thank you, thank you to the community and SAPD.”
The donations collected play a crucial role in alleviating the financial burden that back-to-school preparations can impose, particularly for families with multiple children. “For our students, our parents, the confidence that it gives our students to go back to school,” Olvera noted. “They have supplies, they’re ready for school, and the parents don’t have to worry about buying so many school supplies if they have five or more children.”
Edgewood ISD will continue to collect donations this Thursday at St. Jude Catholic Church’s parking lot. Distribution of the collected supplies is planned for the first week of August. For more information, please visit the Edgewood ISD website.
