Backpack Attack presented by Remke bigg's - FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather & Sports

FOX19 METEOROLOGIST FRANK MARZULLO FORECASTS HEAT, HUMIDITY AND HUNDREDS OF STUFFED BACKPACKS

CINCINNATI – Filling backpacks for area school children has become an annual event for FOX19 WXIX-TV and along with radio partner KISS 107 once again this year you know that heat, humidity and threat of sweat will not keep this broadcast duo from carrying on one of the area's most important traditions with the return of the Backpack Attack presented by Remke bigg's.

Although it has been much hotter than usual this summer and it's a fair bet to make that more high temperatures are on the way, there is one other thing about the July forecast that FOX19 Meteorologist Frank Marzullo can absolutely guarantee: the outpouring of support from tri-state residents to fill the backpacks of school-aged children in need.

Marzullo assures viewers that his July 2012 forecast will absolutely include more heat, humidity and school supplies, especially as KISS 107 joins with FOX19 this year for the Backpack Attack presented by Remke bigg's.

Now in its seventh year, the Backpack Attack has raised school supplies and backpacks for more than 7,000 Cincinnati-area children to date. The 2012 goal is to surpass the 1656 backpacks which were delivered last year.

"We filled slightly more than 400 backpacks in 2006," according to WXIX VP/GM Bill Lanesey. "Now, despite the fact that we are up to more than four times that total, we still have so much more to do."

Backpacks and supplies are available for immediate purchase at any of the thirteen Ohio and Kentucky Remke bigg's locations. Cash donations, which in turn are used to purchase more school supplies, may also be made at Remke bigg's or online at FOX19.com.

Once collected, the backpacks are distributed to needy area families through cause-partners The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, The Brighton Center and Inner City Youth Opportunities.

Once again this year, FOX19 and KISS 107 will partner with area shopping center locations for a unique "drive by" event where tri-state consumers can drop off needed school supplies and help to fill the First Student school bus which will be on-site.

On three consecutive Friday mornings, FOX19's Frank Marzullo and Stephanie Woods will join with KISS 107's Joey, Jare and DJ Sab to broadcast LIVE from:

Rookwood Commons (August 10)

As in previous years, the 2012 Backpack Attack will showcase the performance of area bands. CODE 9 will take the stage on July 27. Blue Caboose will perform on August 3 and Second Chance at Eden will be featured on August 10.

Live Broadcast runs from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and the events themselves will last until 1 p.m. each Friday. Consumers who donate during one of these events will receive "instant" rewards for their efforts from local businesses.

In addition to Marzullo and the KISS Krew, each event will feature live entertainment, special attractions, surprises galore and unique special guests who will also be on hand to greet participants.

HOW TO DONATE  

1.  In Person

Join FOX19 and KISS 107 as they broadcast live from the following locations. Stop by and make your donation of much needed school supplies on August 3 from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Northgate Mall Shopping Center and you'll receive tickets, gift cards and coupons for leading area attractions, restaurants and stores -

Northgate Mall Shopping Center

9501 Colerain Avenue
Colerain Avenue and Mall Road Entrance
Cincinnati, OH 45251
(513) 385-7065
MAP

 2.  At Any Participating Remke bigg's Location

• School Supply Collection begins at participating stores on Monday, July 9 and runs through Sunday, August 5.
  
• Remke bigg's stores will have donation stations for any donations, as well as pre-packed backpacks filled with school supplies ready to donate.
  
• Customers are also given the option to make a monetary donation at checkout time.
  
• All proceeds of the Backpack Challenge go to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, The Brighton Center of Northern Kentucky, and Inner City Youth Opportunities (ICYO).
  
• Find a Remke bigg's Location
  
• Visit Remke bigg's Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/remkemarkets

 
3.  Donate Monetarily Online

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati:

http://www.bgcgc.org/ - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati (BGCGC) operates on three pillars: graduate, fit for life and ready to serve. The BGCGC provides daily after school and summer programming for 11,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18 at seven locations in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. As the region's premiere youth development agency, The Boys & Girls Clubs strive to provide a safe, positive and fun environment focused on enrichment activities in arts, education, sports, leadership development and health, including a free daily hot meal. Club Membership is free with a completed application.  CONTACT: Sarah Blazak, Marketing Assistant – (513) 421-8909 (Ext. 15) - sblazak@bgcgc.org

About The Brighton Center:

http://www.brightoncenter.com/ - The mission of Brighton Center, Inc. is to create opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support services, education and leadership throughout the communities of Northern Kentucky. We will achieve this mission by creating an environment which rewards excellence and innovation, encourages mutual respect and maximizes resources.  CONTACT: Kate Arthur, Community Investment Director – (859) 491-8303 (Ext. 2340) – karthur@brightoncenter.com

About Inner City Youth Opportunities:

http://www.icyo.us/ - Inner City Youth Opportunities provides a safe and structured environment for inner city children (grades K-6) of low-income families after school and during the summer. Since 1993, thousands of children have benefited from the summer tennis camps, after school homework assistance and academic tutoring and field trips provided by ICYO and many community sponsorships.  CONTACT: Jeanne Bell, President – (513) 731-7312 – jeanne@icyo.us

About Remke bigg's:

http://www.remkes.com/ - With 14 stores in the Cincinnati area, Remke bigg's has always concentrated on customer service. All supermarkets claim to give good customer service, but at Remke bigg's this is our way of life and all customer requests are treated the same whether it is made of a bagger, a cashier, a store director or the president of the company. Of course Remke bigg's cannot exist except within the extraordinary communities we serve. We are always amazed at the tremendous effort on the part of so many people to make this world a better place. We want to help.  CONTACT: Sarah McKinney, Advertising Director – (859) 594-3437 – sarah.mckinney@remkes.com

About KISS 107:

http://www.kiss107.com/ - WKFS-FM, better known by its brand name KISS 107, is an FM radio station in the Cincinnati, Ohio market. It broadcasts a CHR/Pop format. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications.  CONTACT: Justin Tabas, Integrated Marketing Director – (513) 686-8300 – justintabas@clearchannel.com

About FOX19 WXIX-TV: 

http://www.fox19.com/ - WXIX-TV channel 19 is the Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio. The station's city of license is Newport, Kentucky. WXIX is owned by Raycom Media with studios and transmitter located in Cincinnati. With a strong belief in community, Raycom Media television stations take editorial positions on key community issues. It is the vision of the company that it be involved in the communities its broadcast properties serve. By editorializing on local issues and seeking out divergent points of view, Raycom Media television stations create an atmosphere of community dialog. Raycom Media is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama.  CONTACT: Kevin Goryl, Marketing Director – (513) 562-2447) – kgoryl@fox19.com