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San Angelo READS! Connects Community, Champions Kids

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San Angelo READS! Connects Community, Champions Kids

Hundreds of children and families joined San Angelo ISD, local businesses, and community organizations on August 1 for the second annual San Angelo READS! & United We Read Back-to-School Pop-Up. Building on the success of last year’s debut, this year’s celebration was even bigger — distributing thousands of school supplies and connecting families with free resources to prepare for the new school year.

Once again, San Angelo READS! partnered with the United Way of the Concho Valley and its United We Read literacy initiative, expanding both the reach and impact of the event. Held at the CRC Roofers Coliseum, the pop-up drew the largest crowd of any San Angelo READS! event to date.

“We were absolutely blown away by the turnout!” said SAISD Director of Community Relations Sun Cha. “While it’s tough to nail down an exact number, we know we had at least 1150 people come through. We stopped counting after an hour!” 

More than 90 community partners came together to make the event possible, providing hundreds of books and a wealth of back-to-school essentials such as school supplies, coupons, services, and valuable information for families. With the support of United We Read, Atmos Energy, Farnsworth Family Orthodontics, and a grant from the Texas Trust Gives Foundation, more than 1,200 free backpacks were distributed. United Way of the Concho Valley also contributed 1,200 hot dogs, offered at no cost to attendees.

“Our community partners are truly the heartbeat of this event,” Cha added. “This year’s pop-up was especially meaningful, coming so soon after the July 4 flooding that affected many families in our area. Their generosity and commitment provided not only resources, but also hope and encouragement at a challenging time. It was uplifting to see such strong support for our community and for the shared mission of championing literacy.”

During the pop-up, families explored the coliseum floor, engaging with businesses, organizations, and beloved mascots including the Chick-fil-A Cow, H-E-Buddy, Whataguy, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Angelo State University’s Bella and Roscoe. SAISD staff were available to assist with enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year, while departments such as assessment and counseling provided information and offered games and activities for children and families to enjoy. Outside the coliseum, agencies including the San Angelo Police Department, San Angelo Fire Department, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens showcased patrol vehicles, armored vehicles, and other equipment, providing an exciting and educational experience for attendees. 

“Literacy opens doors,” Ms. Cha said. “Events like this send a powerful message to our students — that our whole community believes in them, supports them, and wants them to succeed both in school and in life.”

San Angelo ISD extends heartfelt thanks to the more than 90 businesses, organizations and Difference Makers whose support made this event possible. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of students and families while continuing to spread the joy and importance of reading.

San Angelo ISD:

San Angelo READS! is more than just a district initiative – it’s a movement powered by our community and a shared commitment to our students,” Ms. Cha said. “Seeing families leave with resources, books and joy reminds us that together, we are making a real difference.”

Please visit the San Angelo READS! website at www.saisd.org/read and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on San Angelo READS! We encourage you and your family to share how you celebrate reading through the hashtags, #SanAngeloREADS and #SAISDReads. Keep Reading, San Angelo!