We understand that the last thing all you kids out there want to do is think about school when summer vacation really just began.
But your parents have probably already started thinking about back to school shopping, making sure to budget for new clothes and supplies. And while we want all of you to have the freshest gear for next school year, we can with almost 100 percent certainty that money doesn’t grow on trees – at least we haven’t found any – so it might not be feasible to get everything you want.
And for some families, just buying the necessities can be a financial burden. So Stephen Drelick, owner of the Wireless Zone in Steeplegate Mall, is doing his part to help out. Drelick, who also owns stores in Hooksett and Plaistow, will give away 700 backpacks, between the three stores, including 250 at the Concord location, containing school supplies on Sunday.
“I’m hoping it’s going to be successful,” Drelick said. “It doesn’t have to do with making sales or making money; it’s about giving back and helping the community.”
The backpacks, which come in a variety of colors for both boys and girls, contain a notebook, a folder, a box of pencils and a pencil case, a ruler and a glue stick. While it may not be everything a young student will need for the school year, it’s a good start.
“For a family of three that could really use the help, you can save about $100,” Drelick said.
The giveaway is an initiative through Verizon’s Culture of Good Foundation, which helps facilitate the delivery of the backpacks to each store, but its the individual store owner that foots the bill.
The Concord store opens at 11 a.m. on Sunday and the backpacks will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. So make sure you get there early because these things could go fast.
While it’s meant to help families who need the supplies, there will be no proof necessary to get one and no one will be turned away.
“They’re 100 percent free for any parent who feels like they could use a new backpack for their child,” Drelick said.
And make sure to say thank you because this sure is a nice way to help get you started with back to school shopping.
July 19, 2019
Other Wireless Zone locations participating in this event near Concord include:
62 D’Amante Drive, next to 99 Restaurant, Concord
1292 Hooksett Rd, Hooksett
Hooksett Crossing, 210 Quality Dr, Hooksett
17 Freetown Road, Raymond
71 Calef Highway, Lee
15 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham
1106 Union Ave, Laconia
Additional locations can be found at http://www.wirelesszone.com/backpack-giveaway/
All locations will start distributing backpacks at 1pm on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. The child must be present in order to receive a backpack; limit one per child.