Back to School Party Gives Free Backpacks to Springfield Youth
Springfield, Mass. - More than 3,000 students will receive free backpacks and school supplies at the annual Back to School Party hosted by the New North Citizens Council.
The event on August 19 will help students from all areas of Springfield prepare for school. Beyond backpacks, the event is expanding to include a full range of free activities from bounce houses to pony rides
“This is essentially our Super Bowl,” said event organizer Roberto Martinez. “We’re trying to make sure this continues to be an event at this magnitude.”
The school supplies and backpacks are available thanks to grants and donations from a number of sponsors, such as Mass Mutual, Baystate Health, Sodexo at School, Home Grown, Springfield Public Schools, United Way and the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“It’s taken a community to serve a community,” said Martinez.
Although the event is hosted by the New North Citizens Council and will take place in North Springfield, Martinez welcomes anyone in the surrounding area to attend. “We major in the North End and minor everywhere else,” he said.
Not Just About Backpacks
While students will benefit by receiving a free backpack and school supplies, there are plenty of other activities for them to enjoy. Entertainment like pony rides, bounce houses and obstacle courses are free to all attendees.
Groups like the Army National Guard and the Springfield Police Department will have booths highlighting what they do with entertainment for the community like tactical vehicles and dirt bikes. More competitions and entertainment will be held at the basketball courts.
Free food is being provided by Sodexo. There will be grilled cheeseburgers, hot dogs, soft serve ice cream, popcorn and snow cones.
Neighborhood principals and representatives from each school will be present to personally greet students and their families, and available to answer questions.
Martinez said that the most important goal for the day is to provide students with a backpack so they can have a positive start to the school year, but he also wants everyone to have fun.
“With the pandemic, we haven’t really had fun in the community for a couple of years,” he said. “We want to have a positive launch to the school year for parents, students and faculty. I think it’s important that everyone has the right mindset for the school year. I think that will set us all up for success.”
The Stand Out Truck® will be driving through the community. Joesiah Gonzalez, Director of Youth Services for the NNCC, said he’s seen the truck around town. He suggested they work together to let people know about the Back to School Party.
Serving the Community
The Back to School Party is an opportunity for residents to see all of the resources that the NNCC has been providing to the community since 1973.
As a youth, Martinez personally knows the positive difference these programs can make. As a youth, he received free backpacks through the program and NNCC helped him and his family with resources. It has had a profound and lasting impact on his life.
“It wasn’t just the organization, it wasn’t just the agency, it was a community,” he said. “It just goes to show the strength of what we do. The least I can do is give back in this way. That’s why this work is so important to me.”
The event is a way to assist at-risk youth and give them support before the school year begins, and to educate residents on the benefits that the New North Citizens Council can provide. The organization can educate the families about these resources and help them understand them.
“There’s not only a need to have these events for the youth, but there’s also a need for us to have relationships with the community,” Martinez said. “It gives us an opportunity to walk residents through the processes of these resources. “
The Back to School Party will take place on August 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roberto Clemente Field, 321 Plainfield Street in Springfield.
Want to help your next event STANDOUT? Schedule an appointment with the Stand Out Truck® team today at standouttruck.com/contact to hear how to make an impact.
