Community Backpack Drive Powers Up for a New School Year
On Sunday, August 16, the Augusta Civic Center will host a bustling distribution event as part of the Greater Augusta Back to School Program, where hundreds of backpacks and school supplies will be handed out to families in need.
The initiative brings together Cony High School football players and a network of local volunteers, who have spent weeks gathering, sorting and loading the backpacks. Their effort is bolstered by Don’s Moving, which provides the trucks and manpower to transport the loads to the civic center.
Arielle Lefevre, a board member of the program, says the success of the drive hinges on community involvement, noting that each backpack represents a tangible step toward academic readiness for children across the region.
Damarion Raymond, a Cony High School football player, adds that giving back is a core value for the team, and every contribution, whether a backpack or a few minutes of time, makes a real difference in the lives of students.
Since its inception, the program has delivered 10,000 backpacks to youngsters in the greater Kennebec area, and this year’s event aims to continue that legacy while also offering free haircuts, face painting and a modest food spread for families who attend.