The Elgin – Middlesex United Way’s “Best First Day” community-wide drive collected 3,800 backpacks during this year’s campaign. The backpacks filled with school supplies were donated by more than 50 workplaces and individuals in the United Way and Thames Valley District School Board’s region.
The backpacks will be going to kids in need at schools in the Thames Valley District School Board, London District Catholic School Board and indigenous communities.
Donor Experience Specialist Jennie Malone says that the campaign is important as back to school can be a stressful time of year for families that are already struggling with providing other basic necessities.
Malone says that while they have not reached their 4,000 backpack goal just yet, there are still donations coming in. The campaign is a partnership between the United Way, the Thames Valley Education Foundation and the Salvation Army.
