for the opening of Sammy's Bar and Grill at the start of '09.

Thanks to everyone who supported Blessings in a Backpack.

Peace,

Sammy

*********************************************************************

 

Sammy Hagar greets students at Patrick Henry Elementary on Wednesday. (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt)

Red Rocker Sammy Hagar visits St. Louis Public School students, donates money to Blessings in a Backpack food program

By Valerie Schremp Hahn

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

   Red Rocker Sammy Hagar is in St. Louis this week for two performances at The Pageant, and he also got a standing ovation from a gymful of kids when he appeared at Patrick Henry Elementary in downtown St. Louis.

He was there to put in a good word for Blessings in a Backpack, which helps feed needy children over the weekends, and he’s donating enough money to the program to help feed more than 2,000 students in ten St. Louis Public Schools.

During the week, many poor children eat federally-funded breakfast and lunch at school, but on the weekends, they’re on their own. Though Blessings in a Backpack, every Friday students are given backpacks with meals for the weekend and they bring the backpack in on Monday to be set up for the next weekend.

The group says the program helps students do better in school and gets parents curious and involved.

Pfrom the concerts this week will benefit Blessings in a Backpack. Hagar said he plans to return to St. Louis every year for more benefit concerts, and his goal is to pour a million dollars every year into the program.

Wednesday afternoon at Patrick Henry Elementary, an oversized, handmade card that said “Thank You, Mr. Hagar” sat in the front office as antsy students gathered in the gym waiting his arrival.

As Sammy entered the gym, he slapped hands with kids, public school officials, and media types. After students welcomed him with a poem and a Patrick Henry polo shirt, Sammy explained that he got tired of writing checks to groups where he had no idea how the money would be used.

“I don’t just want to write a check. I want to see it firsthand. I want to feel it.”

Schnucks stores are helping to coordinate the program by shipping food from their warehouse to the public schools food service warehouse. U.S. Bank is working to set up an account so that people may donate directly to the program here.

Hagar also announced that Harrah’s casino in Maryland Heights will open a Sammy’s Beach Bar and Grill, and the proceeds from that will fund this program “forever,” he said.