FELLSMERE — Jesse Zermeno is a man of simple faith, with a generous heart and a passion to help people in need. Seventeen years ago he had a vision, and he knew he would somehow be “put in the right place” to make his vision a reality.
Zermeno is the president and founder of Operation Hope, which provides backpacks filled with school supplies to underprivileged kids in kindergarten through 8th grade, as well as food for the needy, during the year.
The 17th annual backpack distribution took place Aug. 9.
Zermeno, wearing a blue plaid Western shirt and a cowboy hat , stood in the midst of a crowd of children, parents, grandparents, all enjoying live music, teacher Sandra Rincon’s traditional Mexican dance troupe, games, face painting, and icy treats on 17 acres of land off on 512 in Fellsmere. Zermeno smiled and greeted people who approached to express their gratitude.
He moved away from the little stage, where the band was playing vigorously, in order to hear and be heard, and talk about Operation Hope and its genesis.
Although he lives in Melbourne, Zermeno was moved to focus on Fellsmere. In the beginning, he worked from a truck, on the streets or in driveways, wherever he could get permission, gathering donations for distributions to school kids, and to feed the hungry. People began to volunteer; businesses, churches and individuals heard about his efforts and began to donate. And Operation Hope grew, establishing itself in the Fellsmere community.
Then, seven years later, he says, “An anonymous angel, who had been watching the program for a while, saw my vision, and said to me, ‘It is time to make your dream come true’.”
She purchased the 17 acres and donated it to Operation Hope. It had previously been a flea market, and already had a main building and several storage buildings. From then on, Operation Hope had a base from which to seek and store donations, and today it serves people not only from Fellsmere but also from Sebastian, Vero Beach and even south Brevard County.
Today, said Zermeno, there is a school on the property as well, a kindergarten and a day care.
“We give free groceries to the needy, about 14,000 people a year now.”
He adds that the people Operation Hope serves, currently, are about “60 percent white, 30 percent Hispanic, and 10 percent African-American.”
On Saturday, hundreds of kids and adults filled the large, tree-shaded area behind the main building, with a row of storage buildings along one side. Vendors, non-profit agencies and churches and various games were set up under little tents. All the students checked in out front, providing name and grade level. Later in the day, the backpacks were distributed.
Zermeno’s daughter Jeanette Holloway was helping check the kids in. Now living in Orlando, she says, “I grew up with this (program) and I wanted to come back to help my dad.”
This year, says Zermeno, enough donations of school supplies and funds have poured in to equip about 600 backpacks. Civic groups, businesses, churches and individuals donate to Operation Hope every year.
“It is tremendous,” he said. “I just thank so many beautiful, wonderful people. We are blessed to be able to fill 600 backpacks.”
Zermeno’s warehouse manager, Erika Zamarripa, and a small volunteer crew packed all 600 backpacks, the contents varying according to grade levels.
Principal sponsors this year were IMS and its president, Julie Decker; Alpizar Law; Lane Construction; and Dr. Holly Hamilton.
Attending the event for the first time, Mandy Meier said, “This is pretty awesome.” Her son Blaze, 7, called it “cool.”
Boy Scout Daniel Aussicker and fellow Scouts from Troop 598 in Sebastian assisted with the bounce house and several other games.
From Sebastian, Sarah Dewar, 10, Akeem Sharpe, 4, and DeAndre Sharpe, 2, and Mary Dewar, 12, visiting from Jamaica, relaxed under a tree, waiting for the backpack distribution.
Indian River County Sheriff’s Office volunteers Dora and Tony Esposito have been helping with Operation Hope for 10 years.
“We always volunteer together,” Dora said.
Zermeno said, again, how blessed he feels with the help and support Operation Hope gets from the community.
“I thank so many, in the name of Operation Hope and all the families who benefit,” he said.