The Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association joined with elected officials and community organizations to donate more than 500 backpacks to school children in Newark at its annual Back-to-School night in Branch Brook Park.

The event included games, rides and Movies Under the Stars featuring Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

"I want to thank all those who sponsored our annual event and all the volunteers who made it a great success," Ramos said. "It was great to see so much of the community together at this event that is becoming an annual tradition that many families look forward to. I hope all the children have a great school year."

Other elected officials who sponsored the event were: Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Essex County Sherif Armando Fontoura, Mayor Ras Baraka, State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, Assemblywoman Blonnie Watson, Newark Council President Mildred Crump and Newark Councilman-at-Large Luis Quintana, Carlos Gonzalez and Eddie Osborne.

The event was also sponsored by The New Jersey Black Alliance for Educational Options, the Hispanic Law Enforcement Society of Essex County, United Healthcare of Community Plan, Verizon and The North Ward Center.