RIVERSIDE: Children treated to “fly-in delivery” of new backpacks, other school supplies

RIVERSIDE — Children from the Arlanza community of Riverside received a huge surprise when they were treated to a “fly-in delivery” of backpacks filled with school supplies Friday, Aug. 1. The backpack and school supply giveaway happened at Bryant Park in Riverside.

Children wait excitedly as Aviation Crew members land at Bryant Park in Riverside to deliver new backpacks and other school supplies to children from the Arlanza community. RPD photo

The backpacks, which were all purchased new and were still in their packages, as well as the school supplies, were purchased and provided to children by the Riverside Police Officers’ Association and Riverside Police Foundation.

City of Riverside’s Mayor Rusty Bailey, City Councilman Jim Perry, members of the police department and Bryant Park staff helped hand out the supplies after children in attendance were wowed by the surprise fly-in, conducted by Aviation Crew members in Riverside PD’s Air-1.

Because Bryant Park is just a short distance from the police department’s flight hangar, members from Riverside PD’s Air Support Unit were invited to drive over to the park to help with handing out the new school supplies to the children.

Not surprisingly, the crew members’ response to the invitation was, “Why drive?”

So, imagine the children’s surprise when they showed up at the park expecting backpacks and school supplies, but got to see a police helicopter land at the park right in front of them, arranged just for their enjoyment.

“The kids were so surprised when Air-1 landed in the park just for them,” a police official said in a social media release after the giveaway.

Children gather around Aviation Crew members and RPD’s helicopter, Air-1. RPD photo

While at the park, the children got an up close and personal view of the department’s helicopter, as well as a marked patrol vehicle, which was opened for the children to climb around in and see what the inside of a real police car looked like.

The giveaway, which was a huge success, was a perfect opportunity for officers and other city officials to build stronger community relations with the children, parents and school and park staff from the Arlanza community.

“Everyone had a great time!” one official said after the giveaway.

Josie Peralta, a mother who brought her two young children – ages 4 and 6 – to the park, later enthused about her children’s response to the fun-filled experience, saying, “Both my kids spent all night talking about how they wanted to become cops when they are older. My daughter wants to work with (police K-9 service dogs) and my son wants to fly helicopters like the one we saw fly into the park yesterday.”

“Thank you, to all those who handed out school supplies and especially to the officers who took the time to make such a (positive impact) on the children who came out to the park yesterday,” another parent, Shontessa Duggan enthused. “You all made a great impression on my son and all the kids who were at the park.”

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

Children wait excitedly as Air-1 lands at Bryant Park. RPD photo

RPD’s Air Support Unit wowed children and adults when they landed at the park. RPD photo

Children wait to look inside Air-1 and receive new backpacks and other school supplies. RPD photo

A member of RPD’s Aviation Crew meets children from around the Arlanza community. RPD photo

Children had a blast meeting different officials from the City of Riverside. RPD photo

New, unused backpacks and other supplies were handed out to the children. RPD photo

Children wait aniously to meet members of RPDs Aviation Crew. RPD photo

Everyone in attendance agreed the backpack giveaway and fly-in were huge successes. RPD photo

The backpack giveaway and fly-in were memorable experiences for everyone involved. RPD photo

Children gather around Aviation Crew members and RPD’s helicopter, Air-1. RPD photo

Children had fun meeting and posing with Aviation Crew members. RPD photo

Two children get to see what a patrol vehicle looks like from the inside. RPD photo

New backpacks, still in their packages, were handed out to all the children at the park. RPD photo

A helicopter Aviation Crew member hands out backpacks to children in attendance. RPD photo

Officials handed out backpacks and school supplies while meeting some of the youngest members of the community. RPD photo

The fun-filled event undoubtedly left a lasting impression on all those in attendance Friday. RPD photo

Riverside PD video

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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.