Hundreds of Montclair Youth Receive School Supplies at Annual Celebration

MONTCLAIR, NJ – On Sunday  August  19, hundreds  gathered at the Wally Choice Community Center located in Glenfield Park despite the cloudy and sprinkles scattered throughout the afternoon   for the 11th Annual Book Bag give away sponsored by Montclair  Sentinels-16 . partnering  this year with a multitude  of community  organizations.

upon arrival familes were greeted by  MNDC staff and volunteers  signing in children who were pre registered or who came that day of , denying no child a bag that attended to  recieve on of   the more than 500 book bags prepared  by volunteers , members  of the Sentinels and officers  of the Montclair Police Department .

Sentinels- 16 Social Chair Kim Nelson and Detective  Tyrone Williams ,co chairs  for the event commented:

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Kim Nelson ” Its about fun ! Providing  an atmosphere  for children and familes  to come out and enjoy themselves  and to  assist those familes with items that will help out as familes prepare for the upcoming school year.   In our 11th year we were able to partnere with other  organizations that were doing the same thing, so we collaborated with others  and made it a community wide  effort ,

Tyrone Williams ” When we started  it was MNDC, MPAL NAACP and the Sentinels  Today we have Montclair  Public  Schools providing information and  Suprentendent Kendra Johnson joining us  along with  Montclair Education Association , Montclair Public Library ( providing free books) , Montclair Cobras (coaches doing the Grilling ),  Eureka lodge ,  free Haircuts provided by Kolby’s Styling salon and basketball  drills provided Net – Basketball .So we have expanded to really make this a community wide event “

Participants  walked into a carnival   like  atmosphere  to the sounds of Dj Pap and the  smell of pop corn provided  Schlager Masonry  ,cotton Candy ,  hot dogs , hamburgers , shaved Ice ,  , games and activities  set up by Montclair Education Association that included hula hoops  , jumping  balls , Fishing game, face painting  , basketball  ball throw. with enough  prizes  that no child  went home without , providing  and entertaining  assortment  of activities  for children of all ages to participate  

Karen  Tripucka, MEA chair for the event  shared , ” today’s set up is provided through  a grant   received  from  NJEA ( New Jersey 

Education  Association  which gave us the opportunity  to  partnership with many organizations  participating today .

Joining the days activities  one could spot  Montclair  Public Schools  Suprentendent Dr. Kendra Johnson :

 ” its critical  to let the community  know that Montclair Public  Schools supports them  and it’s through  community collaboration like this that we can come out and show our support  and meet the familes and students that attended the Townships  public schools “

Albert Pelham  of MNDC   ” its always great when community  can come together especially  when we have so many that are in need, Events like this allow the community to see who and what services are available here in town ” 

At 3pm prompt the doors to the Wally Choice Community  Center opened welcoming children only to enter greeted by volunteers and members of the Delta And AKA organizations who guided children according to their age to the proper table for them to choose .. Upon recieving  their Book bags they were met by their parents where  Members of the Montclair Public Library  provided books and water bottles  .

Cheri Seright , parent of Aliya and  Isaiah who came out to enjoy the day added , 

” Today’s Back pack  event means so much , especially  to the residents  of Montclair  , it takes  away from stress  as we prepare  to get our children  ready for the school  year. by coming  to events  like this you get to meet your neighbors connect  with community  services that are available in town that  include housing, information  ,children’s programs , emergency assistance aide and so much more . Just get to know your community and you can flourish “

for information  on the Sentinels-16 or MNDC

go to :

https://www.sentinels16.org/