Nearly 200 veterans and their families gathered in downtown Los Angeles for the Veterans Advocacy Group of America's 10th Annual Veterans Backpack Giveaway event.
“This is really personal for me,” Billy Corona, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who attended the event with his children, said. “Organizations come out, show support for us, and engage with our community; [it] means so much. Being here also allows me to show my children that we’re part of something bigger. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Last month at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, families picked up free backpacks and school supplies to help children start the new academic year.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who described Patriotic Hall as “a sanctuary for the families who live nearby, and also for the veterans and their families.”
She highlighted the collaborative spirit of the event by thanking county departments, partner organizations and volunteers for making the day possible.
Now in its 10th year, the Veterans Backpack Giveaway continues to grow — anchored by VAGA Vets’ commitment to hands-on service and advocacy. VAGA Vets is a nonprofit that focuses on helping returning service members with a variety of needs, including finding jobs, obtaining health benefits, and securing housing.
“This is our 10th Annual Veterans Backpack Giveaway for our veterans’ kids,” said co-founder Sterling Barber. “We feel this is so important because in order to go to school and learn, you got to have the right tools and equipment. By us giving backpacks to our veterans’ kids, it gives them the needed supplies so they can go to school and be successful.”
The spirit of partnership was echoed by Justin Garza, executive director of the Warrior Heritage Foundation, one of the event’s supporting organizations.
“This organization 100 percent aligns with Warrior Heritage Foundation’s mission — to reach, educate, and support veterans and their families,” he said.
The foundation’s mission is to empower veterans, active-duty service members, and their families across Los Angeles County to successfully integrate, thrive, and provide transformative leadership within their communities.
Garza emphasized that transitions affect not just veterans, but their families as well — and events like this provide much-needed resources and relief.
In addition to the backpack giveaway, attendees were invited to explore tables from eight participating vendors, including the Employment Development Department, Managed Career Solutions, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, New York Life, Revolution National Pest Council, the Department of Mental Health, and the LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. These partners offered valuable information and resources on everything from employment and education to financial wellness and mental health.
“We’re not just serving veterans — we’re serving their families too,” said Sergio Marquez, Jr. of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, who emphasized that outreach isn’t just about informing — it’s about inclusion.
“Something as simple as a backpack or school supplies can make a huge difference for a family,” he said. “With inflation and rising costs, even a backpack can be a financial burden. So any help we can provide to move families forward is meaningful. That’s why this event matters.”
According to the most recent U.S. Census estimates, there were 220,722 civilian U.S. military veterans living in Los Angeles County in 2023. Los Angeles County is home to the largest veteran population of any county in the United States.
Barber said that continuing to build the veteran community in L.A. while raising awareness of available resources is important work.
“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase the resources that we’re able to bring together in the community. Everybody’s supporting everyone, having a great time and giving back and having resources that are available and meaningful, and making a difference. So this is our passion, and that’s why we do what we do.”