The United Way office resembled an assembly line recentlyas more than 40 volunteers spent a day making sure more than 1,200 local students had what they needed to start the school year.
The occasion was the 14th annual Operation Backpack in which children receive backpacks stuffed with school supplies.
Since 2003 the program has been operated by the United Way’s Good Neighbours initiative. Co-ordinator Mary Symons said the Women’s Leadership Council is this year’s primary sponsor.
“In addition to the leadership council we have local businesses and individuals who donate their time and money,” she said. “We have a wide base of community support.”
The backpacks are distributed through a variety of agencies and individuals who know of children who may benefit from the program can contact Symons at the United Way office at 519-354-0430.
“We have backpacks for boys and girls and a lot of them are gender neutral,” she said. “There isn’t a means test for this, we just want to help those children who need us.”
