More than 700 Newark children received backpacks filled with school supplies at the North Ward’s Second Annual Back-to-School night organized by the Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association. 

“I am proud that we were able to give so many children in Newark backpacks,” said Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. “I want to thank all those who donated to ARJ Civic in the last year to help make events like this possible."

Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. and Amiri "Middy" Baraka, chief of staff to Mayor Ras Baraka, distribute backpacks to more than 700 Newark children.

In addition to Ramos and ARJ Civic, the Sept. 18 event was sponsored by Sponsored by Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Mayor Ras Baraka, State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywomen Eliana Pintor Marin and Eliana Grace Spencer and Newark Councilman At-Large Carlos Gonzalez, and Luis Quintana and Eddie Osborne.

The event was also sponsored by The North Ward Center, United Healthcare, Verizon, the Newark Fire Union, the Hispanic Law Enforcement Society of Essex County and the Parent Coalition for Excellent Education (PC2E).

"This event could not have been possible without the support of my colleagues in Newark and Essex County as well as the organizations that stepped up to help youngsters in Newark," Ramos said.

The Back to School Night was held in conjunction with Movies Under the Stars, a family friendly event held in Branch Brook Park that is quickly becoming a tradition in the North Ward.

“ARJ Civic started Movies Under the Stars last year to give families in the North Ward an opportunity to meet their neighbors and enjoy the park,” Ramos said. “We’ve been fortunate to have a great turnout and great weather.”

On August 27, Movies Under the Stars featured the animated movie, “The Box Trolls.” The Sept. 18 movie was the Disney children’s film, “Planes: Fire & Rescue.”