Presents 500 Backpacks and School Supplies to Yonkers Public School Students
Mayor Mike Spano presents backpacks to students at School 23 as part of his annual “Backpack to School Drive”
Mayor Mike Spano is joined by Yonkers Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio and the Board of Trustees; Superintendent of Schools Dr. Aníbal Soler, Jr.; public officials Majority Leader John Rubbo and Councilwoman Tasha Diaz of the Yonkers City Council; School 23 Principal Cyrus Shojai; and event sponsors. Photo by Maurice Mercado
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano joined the Yonkers Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio and the Board of Trustees; Superintendent of Schools Dr. Aníbal Soler, Jr.; public officials Majority Leader John Rubbo and Councilwoman Tasha Diaz of the Yonkers City Council; School 23 Principal Cyrus Shojai; and event sponsors to present 500 backpacks, filled with school supplies, to the students at School 23 as part of the Mayor’s annual “Backpack to School Drive.”
“I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our community and sponsors,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Together, we’ve assembled an extraordinary collection of backpacks and school supplies for Yonkers students—setting them up for a strong and confident start to the school year. To every donor, your generosity and dedication to our city’s future truly mean more than words can convey.”
Backpacks and school supplies were donated by City of Yonkers employees, residents, and a range of corporate and nonprofit sponsors including Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Castle Royale, Ridge Hill, The Appliance Doctor, Rock & Rod’s Classic Car Club, Adonis Crosby, Jimmy Guccione and Anthony Quatrocci.
“Preparing our children for a successful school year is both a shared responsibility and a joyful privilege.” said Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio. “On behalf of all the Trustees, I join the Mayor in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors whose support provides backpacks and school supplies, helping every student begin the year prepared, confident, and ready to learn. Together, we are giving our children more than supplies—we are giving them encouragement, opportunity, and a strong start. To our students, educators, staff, and families, we wish you a wonderful school year filled with discovery, growth, achievement, and endless possibilities.”
“Thank you to Mayor Spano, everyone at City Hall who pitched in, and the generous citizens of Yonkers who donated backpacks and school supplies,” said Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aníbal Soler, Jr. “Inflation has driven up costs for everyone. The gift of a backpack brimming with pencils, crayons, markers, glue, erasers, rulers, and notebooks can ease the financial burden on a family and set up a student for success.”
Louis Theros, President & COO of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, added, “We’re proud to help Yonkers students head back to the classroom ready to learn and succeed. Providing backpacks and school supplies is a simple way to make a meaningful difference for local families. We are grateful to partner with Mayor Spano and Yonkers Public Schools to ensure students have the tools they need to start the year strong.”
Since 2012, Mayor Spano’s annual donation drive has distributed over 31,000 backpacks and school supplies to public school students. Due to the continuous outpour of support, each year non-profit organizations, churches and clients of the Westchester County Department of Social Services in the City of Yonkers are also able to receive backpacks and school supplies.
The latest survey on school supplies for 2026 from the National Retail Federation (NRF) determined that families with kids in grades K-12 expect to spend $863.86 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $43.3 billion, up from $39.4 billion last year.