Yonkers Insider: ***NEWS RELEASE***: MAYOR MIKE SPANO HOSTS 10th ANNUAL “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” DRIVE.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAYOR MIKE SPANO HOSTS 10th ANNUAL “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” DRIVE.

 

Over 11,000 Backpacks Donated to Yonkers Students in 10 Years.

 

     Mayor Mike Spano’s Backpack to School Donation Drive at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy

       Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado, City of Yonkers

 

YONKERS, NY – August 26, 2021 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was joined today by School Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada, Board of Education Trustee President Rev. Steve Lopez, Yonkers City Councilmembers, Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy’s Principal Dr. Sandy Hattar and event sponsors to present 600 backpacks (filled with school supplies), face shields and classroom supplies to students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy as part of the Mayor’s annual “Backpack to School” Drive.

 

Mayor Spano’s annual donation drive now has distributed nearly 11,000 backpacks and school supplies to public school students, non-profit organizations, churches and clients of the Westchester County Department of Social Services in the City of Yonkers over the past 10 years.

 

Donations were provided by Yonkers residents, city employees, and local corporate and nonprofit sponsors including: Heavenly Productions Foundation, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Master Chef Nikko, First Group, Castle Royale, Precision Concierge, Rock & Rod’s Collector Car Club, Ridge Hill and Elite Investigations.

 

“The continued success of our “Backpack to School” Drive speaks volumes to the strength of our community and sponsors,” Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said. “This year we were able to collect over 1,200 backpacks and over 4,000 supplies. I am proud of the positive impact our city can provide for our students.”

 

“Our public school families and the community are excited for children to resume full in-person instruction,” stated Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez, “The Trustees and Dr. Quezada made a commitment last year to begin this September with everyone in school.  All of our staff did an outstanding job getting everything ready, our school buildings, instructional materials and hiring additional staff, to reach this important milestone.  Mayor Spano’s annual Backpack Drive is the best way for our children and families to begin this extremely important school year.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada added, “A caring supportive community is exceedingly important this school year as 26,000 children resume full in-person instruction for the first time in a year and a half.  The Mayor’s annual Backpack to School Drive demonstrates to our learning community that their city, the City of Yonkers, is a caring and giving community.  These generous donations alleviate a significant financial burden that affects so many of our families.  Mayor Spano is a valued member of this year’s District’s campaign – Restoration, Renewal and Hope for Yonkers Public Schools and our City.”

Chairwoman of Heavenly Productions Foundation, Dr. Kathy Reilly Fallon (joined by Executive Board Member NBA Player John Wallace of the NY Knicks) added, “On behalf of Heavenly Productions Foundation, we are thrilled to support Mayor Mike Spano’s Backpack Outreach and donate 600 backpacks with school supplies, reading books, 600 face shields and classroom supplies. This year we dedicate our donation to Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in memory of Audrey M. Fallon, who attended Yonkers Public Schools and taught Chess and Monopoly to Yonkers Public School students.” 

 

Business Owner & Entrepreneur Master Chef Nikko added, “As a business owner and stakeholder, it’s important to exhibit corporate social responsibility. By ensuring the students receive the most essential school supplies necessary helps to ease the burden of many parents as well as Yonkers as a whole.”

 

According to the National Retail Federation, families in the United States will spend over $29 billion on backpacks and school supplies this time of the year.