Students in elementary school this year weren’t even alive when C. Faye Tillery died, but they are sure to remember her legacy as they reach into their bookbags to grab a notebook on the first day of school.

The Tillery family held its third annual Family and Friends Back-to-School Giveaway at the Salvation Army on Saturday. About 200 children got free school supplies, and every visitor — children and adults — got free lunch. School clothes were also given away.

Tillery died of cancer at the age of 37 about 16 years ago. Though this is the third back-to-school giveaway, it was the first that was held on her actual birthday, Aug. 13.

“I’m glad we could give her the gift of giving back to others,” said Darius Tillery, Faye Tillery’s son. “Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces is exciting.”

Each child who attended got to choose a bookbag and fill it with notebooks, looseleaf paper, pens and all manner of school supplies. Everything for the event was donated from Tillery family members and friends.

“I thank God for blessing our family so we can bless someone else,” said Faye Mitchell, Faye Tillery’s niece.

Kim Dolberry, another niece, said her aunt did similar things for the kids in the community while she was alive.

“She always reached out to the community and gave back,” Dolberry said. “She was a great individual.”

“This is something she would have done for the kids,” agreed Joanne Tillery Ricks, Faye Tillery’s sister. “She loved the kids.”

Several family members and friends traveled from out of town, including family friends Susie D. Lang and Carol Dorsey, both of Baltimore.

“The looks on the faces of the kids is worth every moment we spent to make this giveaway a success,” Lang said.

The fact that hundreds of children will start the school year better prepared in honor of Tillery is what matters, said sister Tonya Tillery.

“I am glad we were able to help the kids this year,” she said.