With a mere week remaining before venturing back into the classroom, 12-year-old Carlos Raymond is rifling through his brand new backpack assessing his brand new supplies. Pencils? Check. Folders? Check. Binders, glue, rulers, markers? Check, check, check and check.

"Ah, man, I'm sooooo ready," Carlos said Saturday morning, while attending the annual Back to School Rally at Sam Houston High School along with several hundred others. "I've got all the stuff I need right here in this bag. I can just put it in my room and wait until school."

Each year, this annual gathering grows larger in scope, serving more families in need of free supplies. Sponsored by the Arlington Branch of the NAACP in partnership with District 3 City Council Member Robert Rivera, the Arlington Independent School District and the City of Arlington, the Back to School Rally has become a kind of one-stop treasure trove of both supplies and worthy news to be used.

Billy Wilson, who helped coordinate the event for the Arlington NAACP, said the one-day event has always targeted families needing financial support for school supplies. "This year, we want to now make more of a connection by laying a foundation of academic success. "And, you do that by doing all the other things right."

Rows of tables were set up outside the school cafeteria promoting good health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity and other chronic illnesses. "You can't go to school if you're sick," said Wilson, "And certainly, you can't study well if you're just not feeling well."

A number of AISD departments were on hand, such as Families in Transition and Drop Out Prevention. Also in attendance: Arlington Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Arlington Public Library, which was busy handing out library cards.

"We want to let the students and their parents know they have a caring community that wants them to be successful," said Rivera, who was joined by AISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos and School Board President Bowie Hogg earlier in the day. "A positive impact now that will set the tone for these students throughout the year."

Former NFL players Larry Mallory and Dudley Williams stopped by to encourage the students, reiterating the importance of staying in school and respecting school authority.

"We talk to them about being good students, good citizens, good sons and good daughters," said Mallory, who played for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

The goodies from the rally didn't stop there. Attendees were given vouchers for free haircuts at the Art of Barbering/Beauty at 1100 East Bardin Rd. in southeast Arlington.

"Make the investment now and see a return later," said Rivera. "They will grow up and become adults. It's in our best interests they become productive citizens to make Arlington an even stronger city."