Some found notebooks to write in, others pens and pencils to write with, and a few even found lunchboxes to take their food to school.

Those were among the neat discoveries children made after they checked out the new book bags they received at the Tamaqua Salvation Army.The book bags were available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Monday and Tuesday at the Tamaqua Salvation Army to students who live in the Tamaqua Area School District or Coaldale.Esmeralda Vasquez of Tamaqua said that her daughters, Kylee and Kendra, both 6, will find the book bags to be of a huge help."I came for the book bags," Vasquez said. "It's really good for the kids, and very helpful."Kayla Trotman of Tamaqua said she was glad she brought her two children to the event."I think it was pretty cool," Trotman said. "It saves us a lot of money."Damien Homolovich of Tamaqua was all smiles after he received his new book bag."It's a little bit heavy," said Damien, 5. "I got the notebooks."Melissa Latham, a social worker at the Tamaqua Salvation Army, said the book bag giveaway is an annual event made available by the Schuylkill United Way.Latham said the Schuylkill United Way gets businesses and people to donate book bags and school supplies as part of the event."They're (parents) very grateful for it; this cuts some of the cost," Latham said. "It's something I'm very proud of that we have in the area and can help people with."Latham said that as of noon on Tuesday, 106 of the 250 book bags available had been given out to students.She said book bags may still be available for students who live in the Tamaqua Area School District or Coaldale.To see if any are still available after today, call the Tamaqua Salvation Army at 570-668-0410.