Buy A Backpack

For A Needy Kid

To the Editor:

The Newtown Junior Women’s Club is combining efforts with the Newtown Social Service office to provide Back-to-School backpacks for children in Newtown. Social Services initiated this program a couple of years ago, and two years ago the NJWC joined forces with them to help lighten the load.

Our goal is to provide a backpack filled with necessary back-to-school supplies for our elementary and middle school children whose families may not be able to afford these items. Like the Tag-A-Gift program, the Back-To-School program gives all of us an opportunity to assist Newtown children and their families at a time of great financial strain.

There are two ways in which the community can help make this program a success: through donations of new items for the backpacks, or with a donation of $25, which will cover the cost of one backpack and its contents. Any excess funds will be used to support the needs of recipients (children) throughout the year. Last year we were able to fill more than 60 backpacks for local children. We anticipate the need to purchase and fill even more backpacks than last year, and we are hopeful that we will be able to buy the backpacks and some of the school supplies at a quantity discount.

This is a wonderful opportunity to have a little go a long way. The donation is payable to the Newtown Junior Women’s Club and will be used for the Backpack Program as well as other children’s causes in Newtown. We have the energy and leadership to make this program a success, but are counting on the community to continue its generosity to the school children of Newtown.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you,

Donna Gentrup and Laurie DeAngelis

Co-Chairs, Back-To-School Program

Newtown Junior Women’s Club

P.O. Box 217, Botsford 06404                                    July 24, 2000