Project Backpack: Back to School Supply Fair

If you want to maximize your contribution to Project Backpack, remember that the single most impactful thing you can do is donate. All it takes is the collective power of a few dozen people to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children in our community. Even a donation of just $5 is enough to give a child a new backpack and school supplies for the year!

💸 Donate now at project-backpack.elgin.edu/get-involved/donate

Thank you for joining us this Volunteer Week! However you choose to get involved, we truly appreciate every single person who makes any contribution to support our community’s students!👏

Project Backpack is more than a backpack giveaway - it is a community-wide experience that supports the whole child in getting ready for the school year. If you are part of an organization that offers services that could help kids start the year strong, please consider volunteering your services at the event! By volunteering your services, your organization would be considered a Service Sponsor and can enjoy certain benefits as part of your contribution.

Some things on our wish list include:
✂️ Haircuts
📷 Back-to-school photos
👕 Free kids clothing
🎈 Day-of entertainment (face painting, balloon art, etc.)
🩺 Immunizations/physicals
💡We’re open to other ideas as well!

Ready to make an impact and forge meaningful relationships within your community? Send us a message to coordinate! Learn more about Service Sponsorships at project-backpack.elgin.edu/get-involved/sponsor

📣 Calling all past and future Project Backpack volunteers! We are hosting our first ever Volunteer Party on June 24th to celebrate our past volunteers and encourage new ones to get involved!

📅 Event Details:
Wednesday, June 24
11 am to 1 pm
Building B, Room B180 at Elgin Community College

Come meet other volunteers, sign up for a shift, and get excited about Project Backpack in August. This will be a drop-in event, so you can come and go as you please. See you there!

Volunteers are the backbone of Project Backpack! The generous commitments of time from our community members makes it possible for us give an average of 1,700 backpacks a year to local students. You can be part of the impact by volunteering in three ways:

📣 Post flyers in your community at any time

📒 Pack backpacks with supplies and help with set up on July 29th or July 30th

🎒 Help run the event on August 1st by checking people in, directing families, giving away backpacks, and more

Find more information and sign up to volunteer at project-backpack.elgin.edu/get-involved/volunteer!

Project Backpack is celebrating Volunteer Week this week! Join us all week long as we highlight ways you can get involved in the event and impact the community.

To kick off the week, we are honoring the life and legacy of one of our most dedicated volunteers, Tammy Ray. Tammy has served Project Backpack as a committee member, volunteer, and by raising funds for well over a decade. In all that time, her favorite role was always in helping kids select backpacks so she could witness their excitement and the gratitude of their families. Though we could never replace her, we invite you to get involved and - hopefully - find the same level of fulfillment that Tammy did in her years of involvement.

If you would like to honor Tammy’s legacy, we are offering a special “Tammy Ray” sponsor designation that grants at least bronze-level benefits to donations of $50 or more that are made in her name. Learn more at project-backpack.elgin.edu/get-involved/sponsor.

Gear up for this year’s Project Backpack, and save the date! 🎒 Join our back-to-school supply drive this August. 😊📚

Visit our website for more details!

We are still filled with joy from our recent Project Backpack event! 🤗
Our success wouldn't have been possible without the generous support from our amazing sponsors! We want to thank each and every one of you for your tremendous help and partnership. A special shout-out goes to our Gold Sponsors; your contributions have made a significant impact, and we truly appreciate all your contributions!

Another amazing Project Backpack event in the books! Our Back-to-School Supply Drive was a huge success, with over 1,200 backpacks distributed. We are thrilled to support so many students with the supplies they need to start the school year off strong. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year's event happen!

Join us tomorrow at Elgin Community College for our Back-to-School Supply Drive! Enjoy free school supplies, food, music, resources, and more from 9 AM to 1 PM! 🎒
**Please bring proof of current fall registration.

A huge shout-out to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to pack and prepare for Project Backpack this year! We appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you all for being a vital part of this important initiative! 😊