PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The United Way of Aroostook will collaborate with the Aroostook County Action Program, Adopt-A-Block Aroostook and local businesses to help Aroostook County children be prepared on their first day of school.
This program provides eligible families with a backpack and school supplies for each qualifying child from preschool all the way up to their senior year of high school. Working together, along with the generous support of businesses and many individual donors, the group is collecting new backpacks and school supplies at various locations.
Community members can purchase premade bags at the Houlton Walmart, or drop off supplies at collection boxes located at the Presque Isle Walmart as well as outside the United Way of Aroostook office at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
There will be a live radio broadcast from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the Houlton Walmart, and from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Presque Isle Walmart, with Townsquare Media and Priority Auto Sales.
“We can all agree that there are very few things more important than our community’s youth and their education,” said Tyler St. Pierre from Townsquare Media.
During the live broadcasts, donors are encouraged to come purchase supplies at the stores and donate backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, erasers, scissors, three-ring binders and any other school supplies to stuff the backpacks with.
Sarah Ennis, executive director of United Way of Aroostook, said, “We want kids to be confident and prepared on their first day of school instead of worried and anxious about not being prepared like many of their fellow classmates. Their first day should be a day of hope and excitement for a new year of learning. Last year we were able to distribute over 700 backpacks to children who were identified to need it the most.”
Filled backpacks will be distributed by Adopt-A-Block Aroostook and ACAP. For more information, contact ACAP at 764-3721.
