Local donor creates 25 personalized backpacks for children returning to school
Gift supports families whose children have cancer, disabilities, and special needs
–Because of Anita Williamson, 25 children are heading back to school this fall with brand new personalized backpacks full of goodies and school supplies.
When Williamson got the idea for this creative way to support children in San Luis Obispo County, she reached out to nonprofit organization Jack’s Helping Hand to inquire if backpacks and school supplies would be a benefit to families. Jack’s Helping Hand provides assistance to local families whose children have cancer, disabilities or special needs.
Jack’s Helping Hand connected Williamson with families in the area with children heading back to school. Each of these families was sent a questionnaire asking the children to fill in their favorite things.
“Many of these children are experiencing difficult circumstances, or watching a sibling do so,” said Williamson. “It’s important to me that they each feel supported on a personal level.”
Anita Williamson
Once she received the questionnaires back, she personalized backpacks and lunch boxes to match the answers she received. Williamson filled every pocket and pouch of each backpack with school supplies and treats, making sure each child were equipped with plenty of goodies for the return to school.
This is not the first time that Jack’s Helping Hand has been the recipient of Williamson’s generosity. She previously donated Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift cards to the parents of families served by Jack’s Helping Hand.
“We are so thankful for community members like Anita who look for thoughtful ways to give,” said Karen Borges, Executive Director of Jack’s Helping Hand. “It was such a personal way to make each child feel special. They are so excited to take their backpacks and lunch boxes back to school with them this year.”
About Jack’s Helping Hand
Founded in 2006, Jack’s Helping Hand, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families of children with cancer and special needs. It has established and provided community programs that enable and empower families, professionals and the broader community to meet the unique and unmet physical, mental and medical needs of special children and young adults under the age of 21. For more information, please call (805) 547-1914 or visit jackshelpinghand.org.
Comments
