More than 1,000 METCO students and their family members attended the Back-to-School Resource Fair held by the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) in late August at Pope John II Park in Dorchester. Twenty-five community organizations joined forces with METCO to help students of all ages prepare for the school year ahead.

Thanks to Cradles to Crayons, 1,600 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to METCO students who happily wore them while cuddling furry rabbits in the petting zoo provided by New England Party Animals. They also enjoyed free pizza, face-painting, music by DJ Big Papa Edward Toney, and free raffles.

METCO thanks all contributors, including Cradles to Crayons, Red Sox Foundation, Coca Cola, and Hope & Comfort.

Community leaders from Dorchester’s Brookview House share information.