Manchester Goes Back to School

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Fisher Cats Foundation are partnering again with Manchester Christian Church, Queen City Paint, and the Ted Williams Museum to present Manchester Goes Back to School 2013 on Wednesday, August 14, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The back-to-school program, in its second year, will provide free school supplies to thousands of Manchester families heading back to school this fall.

"A year ago, this was a new idea to provide a positive start for families heading into the new school year," said Art Solomon, Fisher Cats owner and chairman of the Fisher Cats Foundation board. "Because of the overwhelming gratitude and success of last year's event, we couldn't be more proud to team up with our partners to be able to help even more families this year."

In the initial Manchester Goes Back to School event last summer, approximately 3,000 students received new school supplies, purchased and donated by members of Manchester Christian Church. This year, the Church is working to fill 4,000 red drawstring backpacks, which were donated by Delete Blood Cancer.

"We have an amazing opportunity to come together as a church and show the Manchester area how much we love to care about our community," said Bo Chancey, Senior Pastor at Manchester Christian Church. "At Manchester Christian Church we pray for One daily, asking God to give us each one person to share His love with. Providing 4,000 bags of school supplies to our community is just one way we can share that love."

"This is such a generous and beneficial event for our students as they enter a new school year," said new Manchester Superintendent Dr. Debra Livingston. "Being new to this district, I am impressed by the community spirit of the Fisher Cats, Manchester Christian Church, Queen City Paint, and the Ted Williams Museum to host such an amazing event. This is a great steppingstone for a successful academic year."

"It's wonderful that for the second year in a row the Fisher Cats, Manchester Christian Church, Queen City Paint, and the Ted Williams Museum have stepped up to provide Manchester students with school supplies," said Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas. "The back-to-school program shows Queen City residents what great community partners we have within our City limits. Again, we thank the Fisher Cats, Manchester Christian Church, Queen City Paint, and the Ted Williams Museum for providing these students with supplies for the 2013/2014 school year."

In addition to serving as a school supply pick-up, several community groups will be on hand to make it a fun event for families. Among the agencies that will be at the event are:

• Manchester Health Department - Dental Van to provide information to families about the city's school-based oral health program. The agency will also have nurses and staff available to answer questions about immunizations, healthy homes, and other services offered by the department.
• Easter Seals NH Child Development Center and Family Resource Center - Face painting
• Manchester Foundation for Education featuring free spins on the Fisher Cats' Prize Wheel
• Manchester Community Health Center - Kids games, coloring pages, raffles, and free haircuts
• Stonyfield Farms - Organic Yogurt sampling
• Kayem - Free Kayem Franks for kids
• Lens Doctors - Free Vision Screenings
• Lil' Iguana's Children's Safety Foundation - Fun & Games
• And...More!

The Fisher Cats are inviting the community to join this important program. While the members of Manchester Christian Church have generously provided the majority of the school supplies, additional funds are needed to fully satisfy the expected need for supplies. Community members may also volunteer to provide healthy refreshments and assist in the coordination and distribution of supplies at the event.

Additional funds and undistributed school supplies will be used to provide supplies to Manchester schools throughout the academic year. 

To become involved in Manchester Goes Back to School 2013, contact Jenna Raizes, Fisher Cats Director of Marketing & Public Affairs, at 603-641-2005 ext. 177 or [email protected].

The Fisher Cats are currently on a six-game road trip, but will return to Manchester on Tuesday, August 6 to begin a six-game homestand. The stand features three Atlas Fireworks shows, two giveaways, and the final splash day of the year. Tickets can be purchased in person at the stadium box office, over the phone at 603-641-2005, or online at www.nhfishercats.com.

Manchester Christian Church holds Sunday services at three unique campuses: 1308 Wellington Road in Manchester at 8, 9:30, and 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.; at 250 Commercial Street in downtown Manchester at 9:30 and 11 a.m.; and at 56 Old Bedford Road in Bedford at 9:30 and 11 a.m. To learn more about the church, visit www.manchesterchristian.com.