Hundreds of families in need flooded the community center in Santa Maria, where a Raiders football fan club handed out school supplies and haircuts.
When it comes to game day, One Nation 805 cheers on Raider football, but Sunday, ahead of the first day of school, they threw their support behind the Santa Maria community.
"Today has been a lot of mixed emotions, we’ve been super excited and super worried we won’t have enough for everybody," said Marisa Silva, Vice President of One Nation 805.
Over 200 children came in empty handed and left with school supplies, a new do, and the confidence they need to start school.
"It has been hard to get their school clothes and supplies," said Sophia Gonzales, who is raising her two grandsons. "Financially, it’s a struggle sometimes."
Gonzales says the kindness of One Nation 805 gives her the break her family needs.
"We were out of money, so this really helped," said Vincent, a father of four. "It’s heartwarming, you know."
Silva said the grateful families made the event worth the effort.
"We had a family standing in line, they’ve been homeless for over a year. they didn’t know how to get school supplies, they spend their money on a hotel room for the night," Silva said. "So the little kids came up and gave me the warmest hug and just said thank you."
The Santa Maria mayor says she is blown away by this act of kindness.
"They saw a need, they went in there and fulfilled that need," said Alice Patino.
