Number of Participants: 20
Hours Donated: 1
Value of Time Served: $169
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Schools
Date: September 20, 2019
Location:
Elmont
NY, USA
About:
Backpacks are an essential part of a child’s learning. Not only do they help organize school supplies and important information from teachers, they often are decorated or embellished with something the student loves. This year, more than 100 Elmont School District students received the gift of a backpack thanks to some very generous people.
The first backpack donation came from members of the Theta Iota Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., which represents Suffolk and Nassau counties. Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education Helisse Palmore is a member of the group, which was founded in 1908 at Howard University. In all, the group donated 100 backpacks to district students.
According to Chapter President Nkenge Gilliam, the annual backpack drive supports the chapter’s economic legacy to encourage students to do well in school, to pursue various professional careers and to get them college ready. This year, the group donated 1,000 backpacks to school children in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Another source of donations came thanks to the district’s food service department. School Meals Manager Celeste Lloyd and her staff participated in the General Mills Backpack Giveaway. Through their General Mills purchases, the group was able to win 25 backpacks that were distributed to district students.
Superintendent of Schools Mr. Al Harper expressed his heartfelt gratitude to members of the sorority and the food service staff for supporting the district’s students.
Photo captions:
- Superintendent of Schools Al Harper (right) is pictured with Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education Helisse Palmore (third, right) and other members of the Theta Iota Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Gotham Avenue School students and Principal Marshall Zucker.
- Gotham Avenue School students and members of the food service department are pictured with (back row, from left): Gotham Avenue School Assistant Principal Pamela Stamidis, School Meals Manager Celeste Lloyd, Principal Marshall Zucker, Superintendent of Schools Al Harper and Assistant Principal William Mingo.
Photos courtesy of the Elmont School District
