Watch CBS News

Backpacks, And Wisdom, From Mom Of Slain Teen

Cleopatra_Pendleton
Cleopatra Pendleton hands out backpacks on Wednesday. (CBS)

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Hadiya Pendleton Foundation gave out 100 backpacks--filled with back-to-school supplies--to students at a Kenwood park on Wednesday.

Pendleton Foundation's Back To School Backpacks

Ernest Willis stood in line with his daughter. Willis says he appreciates what the parents of Hadiyah Pendleton are doing.

"Behind all this, with her daughter being killed, there's still some good to come out of it because they're doing some good for the neighborhood,"he said.

Hadiya Pendleton, 15, was killed almost seven months ago--a week after performing in Washington during the inauguration of President Obama.

Her mother, Cleopatra, gave out the backpacks and some words of advice.

"You may hit some bumps and struggle a little bit, but guess what? Struggle happens. Problems occur. But we have to bounce back. ... Nobody knows that short of [the people] out here right now. ... We're bouncing back - and we're bouncing back through you guys. So you guys, make us proud."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.