A car dealership teamed with two local radio stations to give away 150 backpacks to students in Ansonia Tuesday.
The event was sponsored by radio stations WEBE 108 and WICC 600, and the Curtiss Ryan Honda dealership in Shelton.
The first 150 in line received back packs and school supplies. Parents who did not receive a backpack left their names and contact information and administrators said they would try to get more for them.
Prendergast Assistant Principal Sherrod McNeill said families started lining up at 7:30 a.m., an hour before the start of the distribution.
“This shows you what the need is,” said WEBE on-air personality Danny Lyons as he looked at the long line of families.
Chris Mancini, promotions director at WEBE, said the station will have given out “4,300 to 4,400 backpacks” this year. The program has helped students at schools in Bridgeport and Norwalk among other communities in its listening area, he said.
Edward DeMarseilles, one of the owners of Curtiss Ryan Honda and its chief operating officer, said the dealership is one of several businesses that donates to WICC every year for the back-to-school program.
Prendergast Principal Joseph Apicella said 700 children were enrolled at his school and more than 600 will be returning to nearby John C. Mead Elementary School.
George Fisher, who attended Prendergast and will be starting seventh grade at Ansonia Middle School, was one of the student helpers readying the supplies for the distribution.
George said he liked helping out and he was looking forward to middle school and having his own locker.
Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti stopped by to greet the children and hand out the backpacks.
Also on hand was Prendergast’s costumed mascot, a “panther” named John G.
Francisca Fermin, who has a child attending Prendergast and another at Ansonia Middle School, said she was grateful for the assistance.
“It helps helps financially,” she said.
Ansonia students go back to class Aug. 27.
