When I was a kid- I LOVED going shopping for school supplies. I think it was a precursor to my addiction to all things office-supply product related.  Seriously my favorite driver couldn’t have a better sponsor to me!

Tony Stewart and The Office Depot Foundation will be holding a special “Back-To-School” event on July 8th, 2010 at a Chicago area Office Depot.  During the event Tony Stewart will assist the Office Depot Foundation in donating 4,200 backpacks filled with school supplies to Chicago area organizations that assist local children in need as part of the annual National Backpack Program.

Office Depot and The Office Depot Foundation have donated 2.3 million backpacks across the country since the inception of this program in 2001.  Tony Stewart participated in this program last year and this year plans on assisting the Office Depot Foundation in donating 300,000 backpacks nationwide.  These backpacks will be presented to representatives from several organizations in the Chicagoland area including: Casa Central, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Youth Programs, PUSH for Excellence, Jane Addams Hull House Association, Speedway Children’s Charities, and others.

These backpacks are not available to the public. However Stewart will be doing a public autograph signing in conjunction with the presentation with the backpacks.  He will be signing autographs at the Office Depot (2928 North Ashland Avenue Chicago, IL 60657) from 4:45-5:45 local time on July 8th.  To get an autograph you have to have a wristband. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come first serve basis starting at 7:00am local time at the Office Depot location.   The Office Depot #14 show car with the “Back To School” paint scheme will also be at the event for your viewing pleasure.