Washington Wizards Among Hosts Of Backpack Distribution Events In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Students at one Alexandria elementary school will start the school year with school supplies and backpacks provided by the Washington Wizards NBA team. Additional school supply distributions in Alexandria are coming up.

On Aug. 15, the Washington Wizards and rookie platers Tre Johnson, Will Riley and Jamir Watkins will host a back-to-school celebration at William Ramsay Elementary School. William Ramsay Elementary students attending will receive a free Wizards-branded backpack filled will school supplies donated by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. Wizards in-game entertainers, including DJ Heat, the Wizards Dancers and mascot G-Wiz, will attend.

Students can get Wizards-branded water bottles and folders and can choose a free book donated by Mahogany Books. Alexandria Public Library will attend to help students and families sign up for a free library card. The event will also include haircuts for students by CapeTown DMV, a hydration station with water and beverages, a free pizza lunch and ice cream, and free activities like Wizards Pop-a-Shot, face painting, balloon artists, magicians and a photo booth.

While this event is only for William Ramsay Elementary students, there are other backpack and school supply distributions coming up in Alexandria.

On Aug. 9, Blaszkow Legal will host its third annual Project Backpack, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 5270 Shawnee Road, Alexandria VA. Pre-registration is required to attend.

Shiloh Baptist Church will host its Back to School Giveaway on Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Shiloh Baptist Church Historical Sanctuary parking lot, 1401 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Pre-registration is encouraged, and volunteers are needed.

The third event on Aug. 9 is UNCUT Youth's Back to School Community Day. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria VA. Volunteers are needed.

Alexandria City Public Schools held its own Backpack School Supply Drive through Aug. 4. On Wednesday, volunteers helped pack donated backpacks with school supplies.