It was a day full of music, face paint, water guns, and bright new backpacks—1,000 of them, to be exact. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we returned to Newark, the city where our very first giveaway took place, to hand out backpacks at National Night Out. And it was everything we hoped it would be.
Video highlight reel of the event—click to watch the joy unfold.
Back in 2010, we stood here giving out coats alongside then-Mayor Cory Booker. This year, as part of our anniversary celebration, we brought backpacks—a symbol of pride and readiness for kids about to start a new school year. Families streamed into Newark’s local parks, and one by one, children walked away with a backpack and a smile.
Some came with siblings, some with parents or community leaders, and all came with anticipation. We saw giggles. We saw gratitude. And we saw so many proud moments that reminded us why we do what we do.
In true Newark fashion, the event wasn’t just about backpacks. It was a full-blown celebration of kids, families, and community spirit. Children lined up for colorful face painting and glitter makeup, spun sugar into grins at the cotton candy booth, and danced to the sounds of a live DJ and brass band. There was even a karaoke-style contest where kids sang the iconic Kars4Kids jingle—microphones and all—for a chance to win their very own mini electric car. And when the music dropped, so did the parents and kids… into an impromptu session of line dancing that got the whole park moving.
This year, we also extended our back-to-school outreach to New York State, providing backpacks for upcoming Bronx events hosted by Senators Gustavo Rivera and Luis Sepúlveda. While those celebrations are still to come, the gear is packed and ready.
And of course, no event would be complete without the people behind the scenes: our volunteers, partners, and city leaders who helped make this day happen.
30 years in, and we’re still just getting started. Every child deserves to walk into school with confidence. Every family deserves a little less stress at the start of the year. And every community deserves the kind of joy that comes from giving—and receiving.
Thank you, Newark, for welcoming us back.
Here’s to the next 30.
