Waukegan families have a chance to score school supplies Saturday thanks to the Libertyville Vipers basketball team.
Vipers president and CEO RJ White said that after visiting Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 schools in the spring, the American Basketball Association team found the biggest problem students face is not having proper school supplies.
The team helped sponsor an event that will give away 500 backpacks and supplies to students at the inaugural Back-to-School Backpack Extravagnza from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Waukegan High School-Washington Campus Dog Pound, 1101 Washington Street.
Families will also have a chance to win a $350 Visa gift card to be used to buy school clothes.
“We know that a lot of bullying happens in schools across the U.S. due to the appearance and functionalities of children so we wanted to try to alleviate that for at least one child,” White said.
The event will also feature a game between the Vipers and the Memphis Lions.
“The amount of support and outreach that we’ve gotten from Waukegan school teachers and principals was just mind blowing,” White said. “They really supported us on this endeavor and gave resources and anything they could to make sure the event is a success,” she said.
Walmart, Sam’s Club and Marco’s Pizza also helped sponsor the event.
Twitter: @MeganAsh_Jones
