LYNN — For the fourth year in a row, a Lynn man dedicated his time to ensure the city’s students were well equipped for the school year.
Mike Quintana hand delivered about 120 backpacks and a large number of boxes filled with school supplies to students across Lynn. He gave 50 bags to a woman in Salem who helps families in need and 16 to a Lynn resident who works with exchange students.
Quintana said a lot of families reached out to him directly, so he personally delivered 40 bags to homes throughout the city. When he first began donating supplies, it was solely to Lynn schools. He said now he brings items wherever they are needed, whether it be to schools, local organizations, or residences.
He stopped by Classical High School, where he dropped off about 30 backpacks and an array of much-needed supplies. His next stop was Fecteau-Leary High School, where he handed out just supplies, because that is what the alternative school said they needed most.
He began his trek with more than 150 backpacks in total and about 2,000 school supply items, such as notebooks, pens, pencils and folders. While he delivered everything himself, Quintana wasn’t the only one supplying items to be handed out.
He said kids of the Gregg Neighborhood House and a resident named Maria Aybar donated supplies and Preps by Chefs and Hood Ink Tattoo Zoo helped promote his cause.
Quintana, a full-time employee for the MBTA commuter rail, said he will do everything he can to continue the tradition at the start of every school year. The Lynn Classical alumnus said he grew up with the mindset of always wanting to give back to his community.
