BENNINGTON — Bennington’s annual Backpack Giveaway held at Willow Park Tuesday evening drew big crowds, a National Guard helicopter, the Bennington Police Department’s newest four-legged officer, and lots of smiles from everyone involved.

Approximately 1,000 people attended the annual event, which featured 325 stuffed backpacks distributed to local school students, a bounce house, Bennington Fire hoses for cooling off, hot dogs, cotton candy, and a raffle for six bicycles and four extra-stuffed backpacks.

Sponsors of the well-attended event included the Presenting Sponsor, Fina Auto Mall; Walmart; Heritage Family Credit Union; VNA; Hospice of the Southwest Region; MSK Engineering; SW Tech; SVMC; and Mission Care.

On hand to operate the grill, hand out popsicles, and distribute the backp

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