Paige Davis to Take Part in OPERATION BACKPACK, 7/28

On July 28, Trading Spaces star and Broadway veteran Paige Davis and Volunteers of America (VOA) Greater New York volunteers will help sort and stuff backpacks and school suppliesat Operation Backpack's "Sort Day". VOA's Operation Backpack drive aims to help 10,000 children in New York area shelters, so they can begin the school year with confidence, feeling more like their housed classmates. Children and parents who benefitted from the program will be on hand and Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond will also be available.

One of the most devastating consequences of homelessness is the impact it has on a child's education. Nearly 11,000 school-age children are living in New York City homeless shelters on any given day. Most of them would face the start of school in September without basic school supplies if not for Operation Backpack. Relieving their parents of yet another financial burden, the program raises public awareness about the needs of homeless families and the impact homelessness has on a child's education.

Volunteers of America's back-to-school drive began in 1999 as a small effort to collect school supplies for the children in its shelters. In 2003 the campaign was re-branded as Operation Backpack to reflect its ambitious, new goal: to give every child in the New York City shelter system who needs one, a new backpack filled with grade-specific school supplies. Last year, VOA outfitted more than 7,000 homeless children and the goal for this year is at least 9,000. Operation Backpack has become successful that it is now held in other VOA locations across the country. www.OperationBackpacknyc.org

Donations are still being accepted at www.OperationBackpackNYC.org