Back-To-School Staten Island Giveaways: Two Events Tomorrow – Asm. Pirozzolo Hosts Back To School Giveaway Plus Family Fun Day Willowbrook Park, Sen Scarcella-Spanton Distributes Backpacks At Tappen Park On Bay St
Editor’s note: These two events are both happening tomorrow around the same time, but quite far from each other. Staten Islanders were also invited to Councilmember Kamillah Hanks’ school supply giveaway in Stapleton on Saturday, August 29th. We also covered last year’s giveaway with CM Hanks, and Asm. Pirozzolo’s Family Fun Day last year.
Post-event update from Asm. Pirozzolo. See photos of the event below the stories:
Thousands Attend Assemblyman Pirozzolo’s Family Fun Day and Back-to-School Giveaway
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — At least 2,000 Staten Islanders attended Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo’s (R-C, Staten Island) 4th Annual Family Fun Day at Willowbrook Park, hosted on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026. The 2026 event is the largest held to date.
“This was probably the best Family Fun Day we have ever had,” said Assemblyman Pirozzolo.
“We started Family Fun Day to provide an opportunity for families to get another day of fun towards the end of summer and find a way to bring our fellow Staten Islanders closer to the agencies, organizations, and businesses that serve them. I am proud to say this tradition has exceeded that goal and our expectations.”
Pirozzolo continued, “We had thousands of people who want something positive for the community come out, 50+ local organizations participate, and families left with school supplies and information they can actually use. I am so grateful to every organization, vendor, volunteer, and resident who helped make the day such a success.”
“I would also like to thank New York City Parks and the Greenbelt Conservancy for being such accommodating hosts, the NYPD and Parks Enforcement Patrol for their presence, ensuring everyone was safe, and Team Pirozzolo, who worked tirelessly to plan and execute this event for the families we have the privilege to serve and represent.”
More than 50 community organizations, agencies, and vendors participated, enjoying the beautiful weather and offering school supplies, free meals, family activities, giveaways, and information about services available to Staten Island residents. More than 2,200 free carousel rides were provided during the event, while hundreds of free meals, provided by the NYC Public Schools Free Summer Meals truck, were distributed in less than two hours. In the afternoon, attendees were treated to Italian Ice, generously provided by Staten Island’s very own Ralph’s Italian Ices.
Children received backpacks, notebooks, crayons, and other back-to-school essentials. Madison Square Garden generously donated the most popular item of the day – New York Knicks backpacks, in addition to New York Rangers notebooks and pencil cases. More backpacks were donated by the Community Health Center of Richmond. The dozens of other organizations provided information, resources, and freebies related to health care, mental health, banking, emergency preparedness, and other essential community needs.
The New York City Department of Sanitation also participated, with NY’s Strongest bringing their PACMAN-inspired Touch a Truck, which allowed attendees to go inside a sanitation truck and even make some noise by honking the horn. It was parked alongside an ambulance from the North Shore Rescue Squad, which also provided a hands-on interactive experience.
Attendance was so strong that available parking filled within minutes of the event start time, and Parks Department personnel directed visitors to additional parking areas.
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
The initial announcement:
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo will host his Family Fun Day and Back to School Supply Giveaway this Wednesday, August 19, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Willowbrook Park.
The free community event will feature FREE carousel rides, family activities, giveaways, Ralph’s Ices, community resources, and a free school supply giveaway presented by Madison Square Garden and others*** to help Staten Island families get ready for the upcoming school year. ***While supplies last.
More than 45 local organizations, nonprofits, city agencies, and community partners will also be on hand throughout the day, including the NYPD, NYC Parks, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island University Hospital, the YMCA, Staten Island Children’s Museum, New York Public Library, and others.
WHAT: Family Fun Day + Back to School Supply Giveaway
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
WHERE: Willowbrook Park, enter at Richmond Avenue and Eton Place, Staten Island
SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON TO HOST BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY EVENT AT TAPPEN PARK
STATEN ISLAND, NY – On Wednesday, August 19, 2026 State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (SD 23-Staten Island/Southern Brooklyn), will be hosting a Back to School Giveaway Event. The Back to School Giveaway will include giveaways of free backpacks, pens, erasers, folders, composition notebooks, crayons, pencils, loose leaf and school lunches while supplies last.
This event will be held in partnership with District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, City Public Administrator Edwina Martin, 1199SEIU, NYPD 120th Precinct, Affinity by Molina Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Atlas, Bridge Prep Charter School, Canvas Institute, Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI), Coca Cola: Liberty Beverages, Community Health Center of Richmond, Department of Education (DOE), Fam First Foundation Inc, FDNY Education Unit, Jana Jas Tippy Toe Exercise Group, Jewish Community Center (JCC), Kol Yisroel, La Colmena, Laborers’ Local 1010 LECET, Literacy in the Community (LINC), Madison Square Garden – Garden of Dreams, Mercato, NeighborhoodSTAT, New York Life Insurance Company, NeverStopMoving365, Northwell Health – Staten Island University Hospital, NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham Health, New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID), NYC Office of Emergency Management, NYPD, NYPL Stapleton Branch, Organic Play, NYC Parks, Prime Prep Tutoring, Project Hospitality, Staten Island Board of Elections (BOE), SI YMCA, Soccer Stars, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce (SICC), Staten Island Legal Services NYC, TFit Foundation, Inc. Transformation Studio, The Central Family Life Center, The Integrated Athletic Initiative, The Sneaker Shoppe, TraNa Relief Association, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Van Duzer Civic Association .
The back-to-school event will feature a range of exciting activities and resources for the community. You will be able to enjoy a soccer station, DJ, pick up free DOE lunches with fruits and snacks, and find coloring books and more for the kids. There will also be field day activities, axe and ninja star throwing, and a rock climbing wall.
“New school supplies can make a big difference in helping kids feel ready for the start of the school year,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton. “I want our students to feel prepared and confident without worrying about running out of supplies. Events like this are crucial as they ease the burden on families working hard to make ends meet. I remain committed to supporting all the children and families in SD23 and am grateful to the volunteers and community partners who make this annual event possible.”
The event will take place at Tappen Park, Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10304 on August 19, 2026 from 12-3PM. The event is first come, first serve while supplies last.
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Family Fun Day. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Banner Image: Kids with backpacks. Image Credit – Greg Rosenke
Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo
Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.
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