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Landon Pollock, 6, will be heading to a new school next year for first grade, but thanks to a backpack giveaway on Saturday, he’s ready.

For Pollock, of Exeter, and many other children the start of a new school year means the purchase of items such as pencils, book bags, notebooks and rulers.

Unfortunately, the cost of these items often puts a financial burden on many parents.

Pollock smiled as he looked at the contents of his new backpack — a brand new folder in his favorite color, pencils and a notebook. He got his backpack and school supplies thanks to the Cellular Connection and Verizon Wireless’ “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway Program.”

Area stores, including ones in Wyoming and Edwardsville, participated in the effort on Saturday. The Edwardsville store gave away about 200 backpacks, while the Wyoming store giving about 60.

Nationally, about 230,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were given to students at various locations across the country.

Yale Wolfe, store manager in Edwardsville, said the giveaway is part of a corporate culture, which focuses on assisting the community throughout the year.

“Each quarter is different,” he said. “During the holidays, for example, we focus on providing food. Corporately, they call it ‘culture of good.’”

There was music and refreshments during the giveaway.

“We’re playing top 40 dance music,” said Wolfe.

Donna Tyson, of Exeter, brought her four grandchildren — ages 12, 10, 6, and 5 — to the event in Wyoming with each selecting a new backpack in their favorite color.

“People don’t have money,” she said. “This is wonderful.”

Kevin Shah, store manager in Wyoming, said he enjoyed seeing the children smile as they came into the store and picked a backpack.

“It’s a fun day for children and for staff,” he said. “I’m liking it.”

The National Retail Federation has estimated the average person with school-aged children will spend over $85 on back-to-school items each year.

David Lightfoot Jr. gets help picking out a backpack at the Verizon store in Wyoming Saturday as part of the company’s annual backpack giveaway on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL-07312016-backpack-1-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDavid Lightfoot Jr. gets help picking out a backpack at the Verizon store in Wyoming Saturday as part of the company’s annual backpack giveaway on Saturday.

Page Partington, of Exeter, holds her choice of a backpack at the Verizon store in Wyoming as part of the company’s annual backpack giveaway on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL-07312016-backpack-2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPage Partington, of Exeter, holds her choice of a backpack at the Verizon store in Wyoming as part of the company’s annual backpack giveaway on Saturday.

Logan Gensel and his sister, Dakota, of Plains Township, picked out their favorite backpacks.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL-07312016-backpack-3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLogan Gensel and his sister, Dakota, of Plains Township, picked out their favorite backpacks.

Tatalia and Amari Edwards, of Wilkes-Barre, picked out their favorite backpacks Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL-07312016-backpack-4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTatalia and Amari Edwards, of Wilkes-Barre, picked out their favorite backpacks Saturday.

Sean Grady, Kyle Mazzillo and Arianna Grady, all of Wilkes-Barre, look for backpacks.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL-07312016-backpack-5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSean Grady, Kyle Mazzillo and Arianna Grady, all of Wilkes-Barre, look for backpacks.

By Geri Gibbons

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Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons