Backpack Giveaway in Coosada honors Memory of Chief Leon Smith Sr.

By Amanda Pevey

Pictures by Amanda Pevey and Keith Plaisance

The third annual back to school backpack giveaway in memory of former Chief Leon Smith Senior was held Saturday at the Coosada Community Center. This FREE event was hosted and sponsored by Councilman Roosevelt Watkins Junior. Another sponsor for the event is General Manager Jason Wilson with Capital Chevrolet.

Around 600 FREE backpacks were given out to children and families. There was food, drinks, and water slides for to enjoy. Coosada police cars, fire trucks, and also a Haynes Life Flight helicopter was on display for the attendees to explore. A raffle drawing was held at the end of the event and winners received a gift card or a cash prize.

Balloon specialist Kim Hall with Kreative Moments made flowers, swords, ladybugs, cats and many other items with of balloons for the children. This event will be held each year on the first Saturday in August.

Coosada Mayor Jim Houston came out to this event and thanked everyone who organized and donated.

“This has been a great turnout,” said Houston. He continued, “This event grows every year. It is a great honor in memory of former Coosada Police Chief Leon Smith Sr.”

Councilman Roosevelt Watkins Jr. is the brother of the late former Chief Leon Smith Sr.

Watkins and his late brother shared a great vision for the children of the Coosada community. When Watkins brother passed away a few years ago, he decided to make the vision come alive, and started a backpack giveaway in 2020. Each year the backpack giveaway event grows bigger with new surprises added each year.

“This is a great event for the community to come together and have a good time,” said Councilman Watkins. He continued, “The biggest part of it all is seeing smiles on the children’s faces. Thank you to the volunteers who help set this all up, to the Coosada community, and for everyone else that came out for the support.”

If you would like to volunteer for future events please call the Town of Coosada at 334-314-0198. Coosada Community Center is located at 577 Pecan Grove Road.