Today, Trading Spaces star and Broadway veteran Paige Davis and Volunteers of America (VOA) Greater New York volunteers helped 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 was also present.
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.
For more information, visit www.OperationBackpacknyc.org, and check out photos from the event below!
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Operation Backpack
Sponsors of Operation Backpack
Mike Woods (Fox TV)
Barry Wood (TLC) and Paige Davis
Barry Wood, Paige Davis and Mike Woods
Mike Woods
Paige Davis, Mitchell Grant (RXR Rrealty who donated the space to sort backpacks) and Mike Woods
Barry Wood, Mike Woods, Mitchell Grant, Sandy Crystal (Frank Crystal and Company) and Paige Davis
Eric P. Gies (Director of Volunteers of America), Barry Wood, Mike Woods, Mitchell Grant, Sandy Crystal, Paige Davis and Volunteers
Eric P. Gies
Eric P/ Gies, Paige Davis and Seth Diamond
Comissioner Seth Diamond (Department of Homeless Services) and Rachel Weinstein (VP of Volunteers of America)
Seth Diamond
Mike Woods, Seth Diamond, Paige Davis getting help filling backpacks
Barry Wood
Seth Diamond, Paige Davis and Eric P. Geis
Paige Davis and Eric P. Geis
Seth Diamond, Rachel Weinstein, Mike Woods, Eric P. Gies and Paige Davis
Seth Diamond, Paige Davis and Eric P. Gies
Paige Davis and Mike Woods at the completed backpack area
A job well done!
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