Arizona’s Largest Backpack Drive to Impact over 10,000 Families with School Supplies
7th Annual ‘Phoenix Tools 4 School’ Also Provides College Readiness Workshops to Students

PHOENIX – In an effort to support local families with the cost of their kids returning to school, the HeroZona Foundation will host their 7th Annual ‘Phoenix Tools 4 School’ on Saturday, July 27, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix (7050 South 24th Street, about 15 minutes East of Laveen Village).

“Our goal is to make sure that Arizona students focus on getting a good education, instead of worrying about how to purchase the basic supplies necessary to start the year,” says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran and Co-Founder of the HeroZona Foundation, Alan “AP” Powell. “Through providing the resources necessary for their school year, we are investing in our future leaders and building stronger communities.”

Phoenix Tools 4 School was voted the Best Annual Charity Event for the 2019 Best Of Our Valley Awards with Arizona Foothills Magazine. In just six years, the Phoenix Tools 4 School annual event has impacted over 40,000 students and family members by providing them with supplies needed for their education, such as book bags, notebooks, writing utensils and more. The event will also host college prep workshops, games and a free breakfast. The event is free and open to the public and this year’s event is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 attendees. This event is open to all students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. Supplies are limited, so attendees are encouraged to show up early.

For the second year in a row, Phoenix Tools 4 School will offer workshops from Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University for 7th and 8th grade students to prepare them on their path to higher education. The event will have a carnival atmosphere with attractions and games for the kids and their families after they pick up their backpacks. Special guest appearances will be made by Baxter, the mascot of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Sparky, the mascot of Arizona State University and the Phoenix Suns’ Gorilla.

This year’s event is supported by community partners such as APS, UPS, Bank of America, Crescent Crown Distributing, Maricopa Community Colleges, ASU and Artisan by Santa Barbara Catering will provide the students with the free breakfast. Other event partners include Roosevelt Elementary School District, No. 66, Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65, Laveen School District, Phoenix Suns, Cesar Chavez Foundation, water delivery by Fry’s, and supply discounts from Dollar Days International. Supporters include Greater Phoenix Urban League, First Institutional Baptist Church and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. They will also have media partners on-site such as Mega 104.3, The Beat 101.1 and La Campesina 101.9.

On Thursday, July 25, the HeroZona Foundation, community partners and Valley volunteers will begin prep for the event by packing the backpacks for the event at South Mountain Community College. Those interested in volunteering should go to HeroZona.org/volunteer.

For more information about the Phoenix Tools 4 School event on July 27, visit herozona.org.

About HeroZona Foundation
The HeroZona Foundation has a strong focus on veteran initiatives and honoring those who have served our country and their family members. The nonprofit’s name reflects that messaging to focus on empowering and celebrating America’s veterans. Their most recent event, the HeroZona National Veteran Summit, was a multi-day engagement with three pillars to empower Arizona’s veterans through entrepreneurship, employment and education. The HeroZona Foundation’s annual HeroZona National Veteran Summit created a multi-day networking experience to improve America’s support of veteran companies through workshops, networking, entrepreneurial connections, and seminars. Other programs include the Bridge Forum, Phoenix Tools 4 School, Veterans Reach to Teach and Voting for Veterans. For more information, visit herozona.org

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About a dozen local businesses donated time and services to Laveen’s first Back to School Backpack Drive and Family Fun Night on July 26 at the Laveen Education Center.

Participants at the event received certificates for free haircuts for children ages 5-12 with the donation of a new backpack.  There was a free bounce house, live music, free water and free snacks.

About 50 backpacks were donated and will be distributed by the Laveen Elementary School District to needy children. Families came with blankets and chairs and stayed for while, enjoying free water and snacks while the children got temporary tattoos, danced and bounced.

About 50 backpacks were donated and will be distributed by the Laveen Elementary School District officials to needy children during the first weeks of school.

Sponsoring businesses included: A Child’s Joy, Cesar’s Graphics, Comfy Pets of AZ, DJ Ant with Big Boiz Entertainment, Dollar Storage, Ellaments Salon, Kathy Does Kake, Scooptacular and Turf Realty.

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