Spelling out “Massapequa,” more than 400 backpacks covered the blacktop at Birch Lane Elementary School on Nov. 20, the result of a month-long collection drive in the Massapequa School District. Partnering with the With Purpose Foundation, students at all nine schools were encouraged to donate new or gently used backpacks and school supplies throughout October.
The successful drive culminated with a celebration a Birch Lane, the home school of parent Michael Fay, founder of the With Purpose Foundation. The program was attended by board of education trustees, central administrators, principals, teachers, fifth grade student leaders, parents and elected officials.
Give Back Backpack started last year at Birch Lane and Lockhart elementary schools, and was expanded throughout the district this year. All donations will go to the Massapequa-based YES Community Counseling Center to then distribute items to children across Long Island.
Mr. Fay thanked the Massapequa community for being so generous, noting that the value of the backpacks, lunch boxes and school supplies donated is about $14,000. He started the With Purpose Foundation after being diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and skin cancer. The organization’s mission is to raise awareness and advancing research and treatment options for people with CLL/SLL, a rare cancer affecting the lymphatic system and bloodstream.
“Our mission is simple: inspire random acts of kindness in our communities and raise awareness and funds for leukemia, lymphoma and skin cancer with the hope of helping find a cure one day,” he said. “Look at what we’ve done together. Because of this community’s kindness, over 400 children will receive backpacks and supplies they otherwise might not have had.”
Mr. Fay added that the success of this year’s Give Back Backpack drive is inspiring him to expand it further next year, hoping to partner with an additional two school districts as well as Volunteers of America – Greater New York. In recognition of the donations from Massapequa, he presented Superintendent Dr. William Brennan with a certificate of appreciation for district office as well as certificates for each school.
“The collective efforts of our nine Massapequa schools will ensure that all children get the backpacks and school supplies they need to be thriving learners,” Dr. Brennan said. “We are extremely grateful to Michael Fay and the With Purpose Foundation for working with the district on this very successful collection drive, and to all of the students and families who donated. Seeing all of the backpacks and supplies together was just another reminder of the generosity of the Massapequa community.”
Photo captions:
1: “Massapequa” was spelled out to showcase more than 400 backpacks collected during a month-long Give Back Backpack Drive, a partnership between the Massapequa School District and the With Purpose Foundation.
2: The district was recognized for its support of the backpack drive during a presentation at Birch Lane Elementary School on Nov. 20. From left are Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Dr. Michelle Walsh, Board of Education Secretary Cher Lepre and President Kerry Wachter, With Purpose Foundation founder Michael Fay, Superintendent Dr. William Brennan and Board of Education Trustee Danielle Ocuto.
3: With Purpose Foundation founder Michael Fay, a Birch Lane parent, thanked the community for their support during the second annual backpack and school supply collection drive.
Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Leave a Reply