with more donations the club can purchase additional backpacks and supplies

Wed, 08/18/2021 - 12:48

Rockland Staples manager Shawn Caron, with the store's donation of school supplies, and Barbara Heard, coordinator of West Bay Rotary's Backpack Program. (Photo courtesy West Bay Rotary)

“It’s that time of year again and, no matter what back to school will look like this year, West Bay Rotary’s Backpack Program is back!” said West Bay, in a news release.

In 2012, Barbara Heard started the West Bay Rotary Backpack Program and has been the driving force behind it ever since. In 2015, she approached L.L Bean and they generously supported the program with a donation of 50 new backpacks. They have continued donating every year, and for the 21-22 school year they generously increased the number of backpacks donated to 90. For the third year in a row, Walmart has stepped up to support
the program and donated $200 in gift cards for the purchase of supplies, and Reny’s also supported the program this year with a donation of gift cards. The General Manager of the Rockland Staples, Shawn Caron, donated 90 “pencil boxes” filled with supplies.

“Thank you to LL Bean, Walmart, Renys, and Staples!” said Rotary.

West Bay Rotarians, as well as other community members, also donate to the program each year. Depending on the age of the children in need, supplies may include crayons, pencils, three-ring binders, paper, notebooks, folders, calculators, and more.

Each year, Heard contacts the schools in the Five Town area as well as the Knox County Homeless Coalition/Hospitality House and fills backpacks with age/grade appropriate supplies to be given to students that need them. Last year West Bay Rotary was able to also donate filled backpacks to New Hope for Women and The Landing Place in Rockland.

Although even 90 backpacks will not be enough to meet the needs of all students, with more donations the club can purchase additional backpacks and supplies. West Bay Rotary is hopeful that this program will continue to grow so they will be able to meet all the needs of area children in the future, according to the release.

If interested in supporting the Backpack Program, please mail a check to West Bay Rotary, P.O. Box 1033, Camden, ME 04843. Please note on the check that it is for the Backpack Program.

For more information about West Bay Rotary, go to westbayrotaryofmaine.org.West Bay Rotary Backpack Program Helps Local Kids.