Kids and parents lined up down the block, waiting their turn to enter the Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty parking lot at 3 p.m. Thursday. 

When each child reached the front of the line, they were invited to choose a free backpack from a pile of 500 in a variety of colors and designs.

Kids and families were welcomed into the carnival atmosphere of Coeur d’Alene Realty’s second “We’ve Got Your Back” event.

“Look, Mom,” a young boy said, pointing with excitement. “They have a water slide!”

Families navigated the crowded parking lot to pick up free school supplies from several booths. Sponsors were giving away everything kids need to start the school year, including crayons, notebooks, erasers, paper and even back-to-school haircuts sponsored by Paul Mitchell Hair Salon. Everything was free.

“So many kids go into school stressed about a new environment, a new class, and parents sometimes can’t afford the things to help them feel comfortable,” said event coordinator and Coeur d’Alene real estate agent Allison Knoll. “So, we wanted them to start the year off feeling like we’ve got their back, somebody’s in their corner.”

Thursday morning, kids and families sat at tables and in patches of grass, enjoying hot dogs, popcorn and cold beverages. Meanwhile, others cooled off by splashing down the inflatable water slide or lined up for face painting and other carnival activities.

“With the fair going on right now, a lot of these families can’t go to the fair for one reason or another,” coordinator Tony Norris said. “So we’re like, let’s bring the fair to them, and we’re also bringing the shopping spree to them.”

A range of businesses and organizations sponsored booths and volunteered, including the Kroc Center, Boy Scouts, River City Chiropractic and PRMG. Kids gleefully lined up to throw a ball at a button to send a volunteer splashing into the water.

Student volunteers from North Idaho College helped give away backpacks, toothbrushes, stickers and snacks.

Three police officers were present to give away stickers, bracelets and toys. They were accompanied by a special guest, K-9 Yasko. 

“It’s more than just Windermere at this point,” Knoll said. “It’s the whole community coming together to support these kids.”

The “We’ve Got Your Back” event began one year ago, when Coeur d’Alene Realty partnered with the Windermere Foundation and the CDA Backpack Program to create a carnival supporting local families. This year, Windermere pledged $27,000.

Last year, they gave away 300 backpacks. This year, the goal was 500. As of 4 p.m., organizers had already given away 450, with two more hours left.

“We’ve Got Your Back” will return next year, hosted by Coeur d’Alene Realty.

    Officer Hayley Vestman gives a K-9 demonstration with Yasko at the "We've Got Your Back" event in the Coeur d'Alene Realty parking lot on Thursday.
  

    Zayden Bahr and Rhonda Dooley enjoy free hot dogs at the "We've Got Your Back" event in the Coeur d'Alene Realty parking lot on Thursday.
  

    Event coordinators Tony Norris and Allison Knoll at the "We've Got Your Back" event at the Coeur d'Alene Realty parking lot on Thursday.