56 The QUEE NS Courier • back to school • AUGUST 13, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com back to school HE’S GOT YOUR BACK (PACK) Senator José Peralta holds sixth annual backpack giveaway s By Stephen Vrattos Thousands of people gathered for Senator José Peralta’s sixth annual backpack and school supplies giveaway outside St. Paul the Apostle Church’s Community Parish Hall at 98-16 55th Ave. in Corona on Saturday, Aug. 8. Families began lining up at 6:30 a.m., and by 9 a.m., with still another hour to go before the scheduled 10 a.m. start, the line had grown tremendously, snaking around the corner down 57th Avenue, then turning again and extending along 99th Street. Sponsored in part by LeFrak Organization, the event provides one quality backpack, filled with such school supplies as pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, rulers and water bottles, for students in kindergarten through 12th grade on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge. “We started off six years ago with a couple hundred people and it has grown every year since,” Senator Peralta said of the massive turnout. “It’s a sign that the economy hasn’t improved as much as they say it has. The response talks to the need that’s still out there. “Students require adequate tools and supplies to best prepare themselves for learning as they embark upon the upcoming school year,” Senator Peralta continued. “It is important that our kids are prepared to start school, and having the right supplies is a crucial part of that preparation. “Unfortunately, many families continue to face hardship in making their ends meet and cannot afford these critical learning tools. Providing these supplies allows education to remain a priority, without putting a further restraint on household budgets. “I want to make sure local students have the proper necessities to succeed during the upcoming academic year. The goal is reduce any obstacles that might impede a student from learning and this event is a step in that direction. I hope that parents can rest easy when it comes to affording their children’s school supplies.” According to Stephanie Campos, Peralta intern and volunteer, the average American family spends more than $80 to prepare each child for the school year. More than 2,000 backpacks were handed out during the three-hour event. “There’s always a need for more,” said Nancy Conde, chief of staff for the senator. According to Conde, Peralta and his team are deeply engaged with the members of the community, including residents, businesses and district leaders. “A lot of them call … ‘I want to volunteer; I want to help out.’ They don’t come to represent their business; they come just to help out.” Assisting the senator were LeFrak City Democratic District Leader Barbara Jackson; 34th District Assemblyman Michael G. DenDekker; Myrna Velasquez, congressional staffer from Rep. Joe Crowley’s office; and Hersh K. Parekh, Queens regional representative for Governor Cuomo. Sponsors and area organizations were also on hand. Fidelis, EmblemHealth, Shareing and Careing, Catholic Charities, New York Hall of Science, NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, Queens Zoo, A Child’s Place and others hosted tables along 98th Street, providing important information, demonstrations and freebies of their own. Collette Franco from “Color Me Happy Face Art” provided free face painting to the children. The NYPD erected a 25-foot-tall rock-climbing wall to challenge the kids, with a bouncy house for the less adventurous youngsters. Even Mr. Met attended to shake hands, sign autographs and take pictures with the children, courtesy of the New York Mets. “There is nothing more important and gratifying in securing children’s futures than ensuring their success in education,” said Maya Autret, LeFrak Organization marketing director. “The Back to School event is an excellent community initiative, which LeFrak City is proud to partake in, as it provides useful tools for and motivates children about school.” This year’s back-to-school supplies giveaway was co-sponsored by Woodside on the Move, LeFrak City Organization, the New York Mets, USTA, White Castle, MetroPlus, EmblemHealth, Time Warner Cable, Queens Center, United Healthcare, Queens Library, Mattone Group, Sherwood Village Tenants Association, OTG, Fidelis Care, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Mega Power Inc., Yak Pak, Fashion Accessory Bazaar, Madison Square Garden and the North Queens Homeowners Association. THE COURIER/Photos by Stephen Vrattos
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