Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Block, in association with the Stanislaus Sheriff K9 Association, and a team distributed school supplies to Cardozo Middle School (CMS), California Avenue Elementary, Mesa Verde Elementary, and Riverbank Language Academy this past Friday, Sept. 2. The weather was warm and the smiles were bright as the caravan approached each school site.
“I’m a small piece of a grand puzzle,” said Block. “The school supplies donation, this has been kind of ongoing for about three to four years, I believe. I was just lucky enough to represent our association and canine unit. There is a lot of planning amongst our unit. I personally love giving back to the kids but our unit as a whole and association enjoy doing things like this.”
Block is one of 12 canine handlers in the Sheriff’s K9 unit and K9 association. He explained that the K9 association is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) and was created to assist with medical bills, training, and equipment for active K9 teams that the department does not provide, and honor the K9’s when they pass. They hold several events and donate their time to raise money for the association.
“We also do a large canine benefit dinner,” noted Block. “I think we are going on 10 years. It’s upwards of 800 to 900 people that come out to support us. All the profits go to our nonprofit. One of the other things that we also donate back to is kids, so we are a big supporter of the Children’s Crisis Center of Stanislaus County. Every year we do basically like a Toys for Tots kind of event.”
Block had a team of Deputies and STARS volunteers that assisted him in the delivery of the goods including Riverbank Police Service Deputies. Sheriff Jeff Dirkse and his wife also participated in a few of the stops.
The vehicles were lined up along Santa Fe Street in front of the gymnasium and inside the eighth graders at CMS were seated. They had a small assembly so the deputies could deliver the four totes filled with school supplies.
“Any donation is greatly appreciated,” stated Eduina Azevedo, Assistant Principal at CMS. “It was a welcome surprise and we were touched by, not only the generosity of the Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit/Association and the Community Resource Deputies from Riverbank but also by the presence of the all the deputies and the Sheriff himself and his wife.”
Block addressed the students and allowed them to ask a few questions. Then they took a group picture with the eighth-grade class.
Through a partnership with Walmart stores throughout the county, the deputies were able to secure several school supplies including markers, pens, and pencils.
The caravan made its way to California Avenue Elementary next where they were greeted by Principal Erika Ramos, teachers, and students. They had their assembly outside on the blacktop.
“The donation from the Sheriff’s department, in collaboration with our local Walmart, was very generous and will be well used,” added Ramos. “Items that were donated included school supplies that were not limited to just pencils, pens, markers, highlighters, pencil sharpeners, and hand sanitizers. There were four bins completely full of items that will be well utilized in the classrooms throughout the school year.”
Not only was there a large group photo taken but students also made their way around the deputies’ vehicles and several students received stickers.
“The students and staff were ecstatic about the event,” noted Ramos. “Pictures, handshakes, fist bumps and waves led to smiles on faces and that for me, was the standout moment. One student mentioned that, ‘today, was the best day of school,’ which I am hoping to replicate many of those days for all our students.”
They final stop was at Mesa Verde Elementary where the staff and students were delighted to meet the deputies.
“It was great to have the Sheriff’s department at our school,” expressed Principal Velazquez. “They delivered materials that will be distributed and to be used in the classroom by students. In my opinion, the best part of this was the positive interaction that students had with our local law enforcement agency today. Students were smiling and excited to see the deputies visiting Mesa Verde.”
