Representatives from Franklin Township PBA Local 154, the office of state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen and the school district with some of the Hillcrest School 3rd Graders who received new backpacks and school supplies.

Hillcrest School 3rd Graders received new backpacks and school supplies, courtesy of a local state legislator and township police.

The backpacks were donated to the students Sept. 19 by staff from the office of state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) and members of Franklin Township Police PBA Local 154.

Also on hand for the event were officials from the school district and members of the PBA.

“A lot of folks came together to make this happen,” said schools Superintendent John Ravally.

“People all over the community donate these bags and make sure they have supplies for you,” Board of Education president Ed Potosnak told the students. “To us these backpacks represent your future. The learning that you have while you’re here in school, the different subjects, some that you like more than others, and then where you’re going to go with your future. We’re excited to have that support, and we’re really really grateful.”

Robert Zuckerman, representing Danielsen, thanked the students’ teachers.

“These backpacks are to help you get the tools for the education that is so important to me, to them, to your parents, to the Assemblyman, but your teachers are really the ones to thank,” he said.

Zuckerman said that more than 900 backpacks with supplies had been donated and will be distributed to schools and organizations in the 17th Legislative District.