How We Got Our Start

Hi! My name is Jillian and I am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. In 2006, my mom and I took our love of school and shopping for school supplies and turned it into a fun community service project. We drafted letters and mailed them to family, friends, and local businesses asking for donations of new or gently used backpacks and/or school supplies.

 A modest goal of 20 backpacks was set that year. That was increased to 50. But we really didn’t expect the generosity of the community as we ultimately gathered 125 backpacks to donate to local non-profit organizations.

 Each year we increase our goal of backpacks to collect and we add another non-profit organization to our list of recipients. We hope that by donating these backpacks we are not only helping make the first day of school special for many children, but we are giving them the confidence to have a successful school year.

The Backpacks

Each backpack we collect is filled with a 3 ring binder, two packages of binder paper, a spiral and/or composition notebook, a pencil case or pencil pouch that is filled with pens (black & blue), No. 2 pencils, mechanical pencils, highlighters, safety scissors, glue sticks and liquid glue, pencil sharpener, pink beveled erasers, crayons, and colored pencils.

 After the backpack has been filled we attach a note wishing the student who receives the backpack a wonderful school year.

The Recipients

There are many wonderful non-profit organizations in our community that provide vital services to children and their families. Some of the organizations we have donated to include the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, the Mustard Seed School at Loaves & Fishes, Robert’s Family Development Center, St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children, and the Unity Independent Learning Academy.  Also in 2008, we were able to provide backpacks to deserving children whose families contacted us and expressed a need for help with backpacks and school supplies due to financial hardship.