Bags and crates filled with school supplies were stacked high in the Vaughan Regional Medical Center Tuesday, waiting to be distributed to deserving children in August.

The hospital donated roughly $1,000 in backpacks, crayons, papers, pencils and other necessary school items to the Selma Police Department for its seventh annual Back to School Festival/Cops and Kids Day.

“It’s a large number of supplies,” said SPD’s Lt. Natasha Fowlkes as she looked at the pile. “This is a good start for us, and we are looking forward to another successful school supplies drive.”

The school drive and Cops and Kids Day will be Saturday, Aug. 6 at Bloch Park from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Supplies will be given out to children in grades K-12 on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The police department has been doing this for many years, and that just shows their support for the community,” said David McCormack, Vaughan CEO. “They want to give these children an opportunity they had to grow up and have these supplies they need to get a good education.”

McCormack believes the drive is a wonderful way to help give back to families who may be under financial stress.

He said purchasing the items to donate was a moment of remembrance on how difficult it could be for a small family to support multiple children.

“I was surprised,” McCormack said. “For my part, I got [supplies for] two children, and it was $96 for just two children for second grade.”

Fowlkes said the school drive is an initiative to help reduce juvenile crime and bullying.

“We know that education is a crime prevention component,” Fowlkes said. “We embark on equipping kids to have a successful school year.”

She said providing the school supplies cuts back on bullying because kids tend to pick on other kids who aren’t as fortunate.

Although the hospital donation was a great contribution to the drive, Fowlkes said the department is still looking to collect more donations to benefit more children.

Donations can be made at police headquarters or by calling Fowlkes at (334) 375-1554 to have supplies picked up.