In a sure sign that summer is nearing an end in Boston, Delaware North-owned-andoperated TD Garden on Aug. 15 held the 13th annual Back-to-School Celebration.
The event – hosted by TD Garden Neighborhood Charities, the Salvation Army and the City of Boston – provided backpacks, school supplies, T-shirts, haircuts, winter coats and more to 3,000 Boston-area students for the upcoming school year.
“We are proud of our commitment to the community, and this annual event creates lasting memories and helps set students up for success before the new school year begins,” said Glen Thornborough, president of TD Garden and chief operating officer of the Boston Bruins.
TD Garden also presented a $10,000 donation to Boston Public Schools’ Office of Health and Wellness to support its Comprehensive School Physical Activity framework, and funds will be used to provide swim instruction, recess programming and various community engagement opportunities.
“This is a special opportunity where you see 3,000 kids coming through with smiles,” Thornborough told The Boston Globe. “We want to be able to give back, and we have the opportunity to do it, and we can do it under the joy of sport and entertainment.”
In the past decade, TD Garden – in partnership with The Salvation Army – has donated more than 50,000 backpacks and nearly $500,000 to the Greater Boston community.
TD Garden on Aug. 15 hosted its 13th annual Back-to-School Celebration to provide backpacks, school supplies, haircuts and more to local youth. Pictured during the celebration in the back row (left to right) are the Boston Bruins mascot Blades; Andrew Raycroft, Bruins alumnus; Alexandra Maund, communications manager for the Connecticut Sun; Mason Lohrei, Bruins player; Glen Thornborough, TD Garden president and chief operating officer of the Bruins; Elijah Kahn, general secretary for The Salvation Army of Massachusetts; John Beecher, Bruins player; Evan Bates, figure skater and Olympic gold medalist; Frank Simonetti, Bruins alumnus; and Ken Hodge, Bruins alumnus. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Mary Skipper, Boston Public Schools superintendent; Back-to-School Celebration attendees; Madison Chock, figure skater and Olympic gold medalist; and Rebecca Grainger, City of Boston’s senior advisor for youth and schools.