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:
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 “
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