Military and Veterans Affairs

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 2, 2025) – Nearly 200 veterans and their families gathered at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles for the Veterans Advocacy Group of America (VAGA Vets) 10th Annual Veterans Backpack Giveaway event on August 2, 2025.  

“This is really personal for me,” said Billy Corona, a US Marine Corp veteran who attended the event with his children. “Organizations come out, show support for us, and engage with our community 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.” 

From noon to 3 p.m. families picked up free backpacks and school supplies to help children start the new academic year. An additional 100 backpacks were donated to another Los Angeles-based outreach event, and 40 more were distributed to a fellow nonprofit later that week—bringing the total number of backpacks donated to 337. Supplies were sourced from various donors, with Bravo Wholesale Backpacks of Los Angeles serving as the primary supplier. 

 “Everything that (VAGA Vets Founders) Sterling and Tova bring to this building is filled with love, joy, and everybody’s smiling and feeling good when they leave. I’m honored to support you all with this event. Thank you,” said Director of the LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs James Zenner, capturing the energy in the building by recognizing the joy that VAGA Vets brings to the space. 

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” (translated from Spanish remarks, August 2, 2025, at the Veterans Backpack Giveaway). She highlighted the collaborative spirit of the event by thanking county departments, partner organizations, and volunteers for making the day possible. Her words reflected the tone of the day—one of unity, gratitude, and practical care. Now in its tenth year, the Veterans Backpack Giveaway continues to grow—anchored by VAGA Vets’ commitment to hands-on service and advocacy.  

“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 event was coordinated by a dedicated 9-member Board of Directors at VAGA Vets, whose planning and collaboration with community organizations, county leadership, allow the community to come together to support those who’ve served. 

That spirit of partnership was echoed by Justin Garza, executive director of the Warrior Heritage Foundation, one of the event’s supporting organizations when he said, “This organization one hundred percent aligns with Warrior Heritage Foundation’s mission—to reach, educate and support veterans and their families.” He 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 Employment Development Department (EDD), Managed Career Solutions (MCS), Los Angeles Trade Technical-College (LATTC), New York Life, Revolution National Pest Council (RNPC), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), 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. 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.” 

Volunteers were also essential to the success of the event. Special thanks were extended to Aaron Thum and PV Jobs, who coordinated 10 young adults to assist with setup, distribution, and community engagement. Their involvement helped ensure smooth operations while offering a firsthand experience in service and outreach.  

Sterling Barber emphasized the broader impact: building community while raising awareness of available resources. “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.”