Kids Get $25K in School Supplies Via AZ Builders Alliance
The Arizona Builders Alliance’s 7th annual Backpack Supply Drive recently served a total of 500 underprivileged youth with help from more than 90 Alliance member companies.
The Alliance’s 30-member Community Service Board led the program, which provided foster children at RISE Services, Inc. and students of Children First Leadership Academy with backpacks and school supplies. Donated items were collected from July to August, and are valued at more than $25,000.
“Both of the organizations cater to the needs of homeless and impoverished children. Every year, their faces are shocked and excited when we arrive and start handing out backpacks,” said Joshua Marriott, chairman of the ABA’s Community Service Board, and VDC engineer/estimator at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. “From experience, school supplies can get very expensive – this drive is one way that the ABA is able to contribute to a portion of the organizations’ missions of helping children and families in need.”
The backpacks, each different in theme, provided students with a fidget spinner, a pencil box filled with different writing utensils, notebooks and paper, and organizational and craft supplies. Teachers were provided with cleaning supplies, toiletries and classroom items, and canned food and gently used clothes were also donated.
According to Kristina Gonzalez, recruiter for RISE’s Foster Care and Adoption program, some foster families care for more than five children. “The cost of supplies is not necessarily something that a child does or should worry about, so it may be more difficult for the children to understand the impact, but the foster parents we serve were thrilled and grateful for the support,” she said. The Alliance became involved with RISE Services through foster parent, Tim Inman, LEED AP at Schuff Steel Management Company, and member of the Alliance’s Community Service Board.
“The drive alleviates families of the financial burden, and leaves teachers will a class full of students prepared for a successful year,” said Karen Crang, principal at Children First Leadership Academy.
Info: www.azbuilders.org.
