Backpacks for back-to-school - Westfair Communications

Students attending the Yonkers Early Childhood Academy and Cross Hill Academy received 500 backpacks filled with school supplies as a result of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano’s “Backpack to School Drive.” Spano was joined by Yonkers Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez, Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Luis Rodriguez, members of the Yonkers City Council, Yonkers Early Childhood Academy Principal Stefanie Felidi and Cross Hill Academy Principal Ryan James for distribution of the backpacks a few days before the school year began.

Mayor Spano meets young students who received backpacks.

Since 2012, Spano”™s annual donation drive has distributed nearly 17,000 backpacks with school supplies to public school student. In addition, nonprofit organizations, churches and clients of the Westchester County Department of Social Services in Yonkers also have received backpacks and school supplies.

“I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our community and sponsors,” Spano said. “Together, we have collected an abundance of backpacks and school supplies for our students in Yonkers that helps put them on the pathway to academic success.”

A young student looks over some backpacks offered in the Backpack to School Drive.

According to Lopez, “Giving a helping hand to those in need is an act of kindness and generosity that powerfully impacts the children and families in our schools. This commitment by community stakeholders is necessary for Yonkers Public Schools children and their education.”

Among the corporate and nonprofit sponsors of this year’s backpacks effort were Nickelodeon, Heavenly Productions Foundation, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Castle Royale, Rock & Rod”™s Collector Car Club, Ridge Hill, Elite Investigations, PCNY, Garden of Eden and Staples Connect located on Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers.

Ed Domingo, senior vice president and general manager at Empire City said, “We are committed to advancing education in our local community as one of our philanthropic pillars and ensure that students have all the resources, they need for a successful school year ahead.”

According to a survey released in July by the National Retail Federation back-to-school spending this year was expected to reach $41.5 billion, up from $36.9 billion last year and the previous high of $37.1 billion in 2021. Spending was reported to be $890 per child for back to school items, including school supplies, clothing, shoes, and electronics.