Local stores giving away free backpacks to Ohio Valley families

If you’re needing a backpack for the upcoming school year, one of the country’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers will be giving away free backpacks to Ohio Valley families

In its 12 ^th consecutive year, organizers say Round Room’s annual “Schools Rock Backpack Giveaway” will take place on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. at over 1,000 TCC and Wireless Zone locations.

Participating store in the Ohio Valley include:

• 2203 Sunset Blvd Ste 3, Steubenville, Ohio
• 864 Main St, Wintersville, Ohio
• 241 Three Springs Dr Ste 2021, Weirton West Virginia

Organizers say that this year, in addition to giving away the more than 120,000 backpacks, 10 lucky students will be “Golden Ruler” winners, receiving a $100 gift card to purchase school supplies and $1,000 for their school.

With backpacks being a higher ticket item on the school supplies list and the average cost of supplies for families being around $890 , Round Room says it hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden associated with school for the local families they serve.

Organizers say any leftover backpacks at “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” events will be donated to local schools of each store’s choice.

“All at the same time, on the same Sunday afternoon, there’s a simultaneous period of giving at our TCC and Wireless Zone stores around the country. It’s a beautiful thing,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “We believe in the power of community and the importance of education, which is why this initiative is so important to everyone throughout the Round Room organization. Our corporate team, store owners, and store employees work hard to make this happen every year because they genuinely want to make a profound impact. They want to help ensure every student has the basic tools they need to start the school year off on the right foot.”

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