Back-to-school event planned Aug. 23

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

In conjunction with NOW Youngstown Increase the Peace Rallies, a back-to-school celebration is planned Aug. 23 at Judge William Rayen School stadium at Ohio and Benita avenues on the city’s North Side.

At the event, free backpacks with school supplies will be distributed to some 3,000 students. There also will be gospel music, free food and carnival games.

Participation, cooperation and collaboration from the community is needed to make the event a success. Financial donations are needed to buy backpacks and supplies. The average price of a backpack with supplies is about $8.

NOW Youngstown is working in collaboration with the Jericho Project to fund the backpack project. Make checks out to Heart Reach Ministries, P.O. Box 778, Youngstown, OH 44501.

NOW Youngstown and Project CIRV (Community Initiative to Reduce Violence) have worked with the mayor’s office, the police department, the criminal- justice community, social- service agencies and several local churches to present Increase the Peace rallies this summer.

The last three summer rallies will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rockford Village, 1402 Dogwood Drive; 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Metro Assembly of God, 2530 South Ave.; and noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 6 at Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave.

Rally coordinators are Pastor Al Yanno of Metro Assembly; Pastor Rolando Rojas of Spanish Evangelical Church, Youngstown; Pastor Rafael Cruz of Unity Baptist Church, Boardman; and Guy Burney, C.I.R.V. coordinator.

For information, call Metro Assembly at 330-782-2070.