Three NBA stars, each Garfield High School alumni, are returning to the Central District to distribute school supplies to neighborhood students. The project is run by humanitarian organization World Vision.
“The cost of school supplies can be a real burden to families as the start of the school year nears,” said Reed Slattery, manager of World Vision’s Pacific Northwest Teacher Resource Center in Fife, Wash. “These events are a way that World Vision can help students in our own community start the year off well.”
The participating players are Will Conroy, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves; Tony Wroten, currently with the Memphis Grizzlies; and Brandon Roy, who played most of his career with the Portland Trailblazers and retired with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the 2012-13 season. Each player graduated from Garfield High School before going on to play for the University of Washington.
The giveaway will take place at the Third Annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway & Community BBQ. Here, the players will distribute 600 backpacks of school supplies and 500 family food kits. Kids can get free hair cuts before school starts and snag an autograph with the players. The event will be held on Saturday, August 24, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Red Apple parking lot at 2301 Jackson Street.
This sounds like it was a fun event. Wishing all the Garfield students a great year.