A Great Backpack Giveaway Day in Stamford

Community Gathers for Another Successful Event

STAMFORD – On August 17, the Stamford Police Association (SPA) joined The Salvation Army, Southwood Square, Entenmann’s, ShopRite, General Electric (GE), and First County Bank for their annual Backpack Giveaway Day at Stamford Police Headquarters. In addition to popcorn and cotton candy, the event included a barbecue, where volunteers from the SPA, GE, and The Salvation Army served free hamburgers, hot dogs, and soda to children and their parents.

"All students need to get the best education they can and by outfitting some of our community’s youth with new backpacks, we are aiming to give students the opportunity to start the year off full of confidence," said Stamford Police Officer Jerry Junes, the lead organizer of the event for the SPA.

In total, backpacks were provided to 500 students 16 and under. In advance, families were welcome to stop by The Salvation Army on Selleck Street or the Police Department to pick up tickets to ensure their receipt of backpacks.

Sergeant Joseph Kennedy, President of the SPA, commented, "As Stamford Police Officers, we feel it is necessary to not only keep the city safe, but also to leave it better than before. Our officers understand that these children are the future of Stamford, and we are proud to do our part to help them."

Since this book bag program was initiated, over 2,300 backpacks have been given to children in the Stamford community.