About 1,000 Colorado Springs students will start school this year with backpacks stuffed to the brim with new school supplies thanks to an annual fair organized by Northern Churches Care.

Up to 1,600 people filed into Rocky Mountain Calvary Saturday for the 9th annual health fair and back to school program. Along with schools supplies, uninsured and underinsured families were provided free physicals, immunizations, health information and vision, dental and hearing care.

“We have a lot of people to say thank you to,” Mark Hughes told his 4-year-old daughter Kimorea Miller.

Fidgeting in her seat, Miller pulled a hot pink ruler out of her new Tinkerbell backpack and measured her dad’s face while waiting to have her vision checked.

Her brother, Kaleb Miller, 9, said he is looking forward to starting fourth grade at Odyssey Elementary School, especially now that he has a new set of colored pencils to draw cougars and cheetahs — his favorite animals.

Hughes was thankful for the event, which he said will help the family economically.

“We have a tight family so we’re already blessed, but this will help us,” he said.

Cheri Pringle sorted through her childrens’ backpacks, saying the donated school supplies gave her family a needed boost.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “Finances are tight right now and these things add up. Every little bit helps.”

Julie Wilson, executive director of Northern Churches Care, said the event serves many local families who maybe didn’t expect to be in an economically unstable situation.

“We know there’s a growing need in our community,” she said. “For kids to be able to go back to school with hair cuts, physicals and school supplies, they can go with their head up.”

First time volunteer Armen Mardiguian got involved through Faith Presbyterian Church, which is one of 55 member churches of Northern Churches Care. His favorite part of the day was seeing the reactions of families who received backpacks.

“A couple people said they’re really thankful because they couldn’t afford it otherwise,” he said. “I think in some ways Colorado Springs is better than other areas economically, but clearly there’s a need.”

Jessica Rodriguez, who waited for her 6-year-old daughter to get a hair cut, was impressed with how smoothly things ran and how easy it was to get what she needed for her family.

“It’s nice how everybody came together and helped,” she said. “I’m really grateful. It’s a relief because you stress out so much about getting stuff for the kids. You don’t understand until your in the situation.”

Jakob Miller looks through his brother’s backpack with supplies as he and his sister Kimorea and dad Mark Hughes wait for their turn for services at the 9th Annual Health Fair and Back to School Event put on my Northern Churches Care. ( The Gazette/Stuart Wong) Photo by

Volunteer Judy Fillman hands out backpacks of school supplies as they take part in the Northern Churches Care 9th Annual Health Fair and Back to School Event at the Rocky Mountain Calvary Church. Hundred of families were expected to take part in the eve Photo by

Kimorea Miller, 4 covers her eye taking a vision screening as part in the Northern Churches Care 9th Annual Health Fair and Back to School Event at the Rocky Mountain Calvary Church. Hundred of families were expected to take part in the event to get hea Photo by