By Jan Larsen For The Herald-News August 4, 2011 9:24PM
JOLIET — David Charrie, 24, who recently moved to Crest Hill, had never been to a Back to School Fair before. He has helped others most of his life. But it was his turn to ask for help Thursday as he searches for a job.

Edwin Cervantes, 21, of Joliet Job Corps, remembers going to the Catholic Charities Back to School Fair seven years ago when his family first moved here from Chicago. This year, he was on the giving end as one of about 260 community volunteers working at the fair.

Both men typify the belief that a charitable fair is a hand up, not a handout.

More than 4,000 people stood in line Thursday for that “hand up,” which included haircuts, advice, school physicals, dental checkups and more at the University of St. Francis Recreation Center. There were games for children, free books and toys, screenings for speech and occupational therapy and a gym full of informational booths from organizations such as the National Hookup of Black Women and Chestnut Health Services.

Were numbers up this year at the 19th annual fair as the economic recovery seems to stagnate?

“Gosh, yes,” said Andrea Bird, fair coordinator. “We had people lined up around the block at 7 a.m.”

The fair started at 11 a.m.; by 11:30 a.m. ticket No. 630 had been issued. (The fair ended at 7 p.m.)

Final numbers won’t be known until a few days from now, but last year the fair served 4,500 people representing 1,600 families. Most Catholic Charities workers said lines looked longer this year.

Many needed backpacks and two groups donated quite a few; Golden State Foods Foundation in Lemont donated 540 filled new backpacks and a private foundation from Mokena called Angels R Watching donated 500.

“Every year we try to add a new service,” said Yvonne McDonald, another Catholic Charities Daybreak employee who was in charge of the event. “This year we had the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Aunt Martha’s (Youth Service Center and Health Center) and dental exams from Will-Grundy Medical Clinic.”

A balance of giving and receiving

Charrie, a son of missionaries, grew up in Argentina. He and his wife have three young sons and are living with her mother while he looks for work. He says his skills are in sales and fundraising and it’s been “difficult” to find a job. Previously, they lived in Michigan and earned room and board working for Christian-based charities.

Charrie rocked their 2-month-old baby Max while the family waited for more than an hour for a dental exam for Raphael, who is the oldest son at age 5. They also hoped to get the checkup he needs to enter kindergarten at Chaney-Monge School.

“This is wonderful,” Charrie said. “Really great.”

Fair volunteer Cervantes is a Joliet Central graduate who has just earned a certificate in facilities maintenance from Joliet Jobs Corps. Seven years ago, his family came to the fair for the items and services they needed for school. He hasn’t forgotten the experience.

Translating for those waiting in line Thursday, Cervantes said, “I remember being in line.”