Corpus Christi Police Department's Operation Safe Return helps thousands Saturday

Thousands of people and children spent their morning getting immunizations, free school supplies, ice cream sandwiches, sports physicals and more Saturday at American Bank Center.

Corpus Christi Police Department held its annual Operation Safe Return until 2 p.m. for families in the Coastal Bend area to spend time at the health and safety fair.

The purpose of the event is to give children the opportunity to receive necessary school supplies, obtain valuable safety information and ensure a healthy start to the upcoming school year.

Some of the vendors giving out free items for students and families included the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation's Project HOPE (Health, Outreach, Prevention, Education), Youth Odyssey, YWCA Corpus Christi and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Aside from vendors giving out free items, cadets with the Corpus Christi Police Academy also gave out clear backpacks full of school supplies to current and future students.

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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