Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Former alderwoman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja welcomes the children and their parents who turned out for Thursday's Nashua Goes Back to School event. Golja and Nashua businessman George Katis, left, founded the event 17 years ago. With them is Mayor Jim Donchess. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

NASHUA – For the 20th year, the United Way of Greater Nashua and its community partners will usher in the new school year during the Nashua Goes Back to School event on Aug. 24.

This year’s event will be held at Library Plaza from 5-6:30 p.m.

Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja of the United Way of Greater Nashua said the event was launched in 2003 in response to the city’s high school dropout rate which, at the time, was above the state average at 4.7 percent.

“A student feeling connected to an adult or involved in an organization or club, either in school or in the community, is as important today for school success as it was in 2003,” she said. “The [Nashua Goes Back To School] Committee continues to provide a festive opportunity for students and their parents to meet their principals. First graders look at their principals with big eyes and middle and high schoolers share stories with school staff about their summer adventures.”

Melizzi-Golja said that when the event began, 700 “goodie bags” with school supplies were distributed to students. As a result of ongoing community support, the number of bags has now grown to 1,500.

“The business community continues to be generous in their donation of funds used to purchase the school supplies,” she said. “Senior citizens, as part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, volunteers from the Nashua Lions Club and middle and high school students work together to pack the 1,500 bags provided by Southern New Hampshire Health.”

Melizzi-Golja said more than 35 organizations also take the opportunity to showcase their offerings during the event. Some of those organizations include the Nashua Police Athletic League, Arlington Street Center, the Nashua Community Music School as well as Nashua Parks and Recreation.

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