1,500 backpacks given to CASD students
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
Aja Thompson of the CYI helped six-year-old Giselle Nunez pick out a new backpack for first grade.
COATESVILLE – Hundreds of families in the Coatesville Area School District gathered at Scott Middle School last week for the fourth annual Coatesville Back to School: Prepare for Success event, where they received backpacks full of school supplies, free of charge, for their children.
Volunteers greeted students and their families as they entered the gymnasium and guided them to the appropriate tables, based on grade level. Each child then told the volunteers about their favorite colors, characters, etc so they could help them find the perfect backpack for the new school year.
Aja Thompson of the Coatesville Youth Initiative said she remembers being a student waiting in line to get a backpack when she was younger.
“I love being on this side of things and seeing how happy the kids are.” Said Thompson.
11-year-old Felicia Bookman, who is going into sixth grade this year, is looking forward to school starting because she loves art classes and clubs.
“I like getting to pick out a new backpack and then go outside to do the activities.” Bookman said.
11 year old Felicia Bookman is ready to start sixth grade with her new Jansport backpack.
Bookman was referring to the entertainment outside, which included a DJ playing music, moonbounces, food, snow cones and more.
This year, the Coatesville Back to School Committee met their goal of distributing 1,500 backpacks to students throughout the CASD, all filled with age appropriate school supplies.
According to Jordan Crans, director of the Bridge Academy and Community Center, the committee will continue collecting donations throughout the year so as to replenish and fulfill further needs in the classrooms throughout the district, and also to being preparing for next year’s giveaway.
As a result of community efforts, 1,500 backpacks were filled with age appropriate school supplies to help students in the CASD get ready for the new school year.
The following is a list of the organizations and individuals who participated in the Back to School Event this year:
2016 Coatesville Back to School Event Committee
Coatesville Area School District
YMCA of Greater Brandywine
The Bridge Academy and Community Center
Coatesville Center for Community Health
Coatesville Soup Kitchen
City of Coatesville
The Movement
Coatesville Police Department
Coatesville Youth Initiative
50/50 L.G. Entertainment
Pennsylvania State Police
County Corrections Gospel Mission
United Way of Chester County
Red Sponsors
CCRES – Made possible in part by a grant from CCRES
Bridge Academy and Community Center
Coatesville Youth Initiative
Green Sponsors
Angel Grapevine
Bell Chapel True Holiness Church of God
Brilliant Graphics
County Corrections Gospel Mission
Chertoks Furniture and Mattress
Krapf Bus Company
County Corrections Gospel Mission
Sam’s Club – Exton
Blue Sponsors
The Rotary Club of Coatesville
Event Sponsorship Opportunities
Water and Cooling Station
Brandywine Health Foundation
Hot dog Sponsor
Harry Lewis, Jr.
Children’s Entertainment
The Ollis Family
In-kind Sponsorship
Charles Blosenski, Jr.
Port-A- Potties
City of Coatesville
Games2U Entertainment
The Wawa Foundation
YMCA of Greater Brandywine- Activan
Friends of the Back to School Event
Ann Jones
Barry Rabin
BBD, LLP
Coatesville Area Senior Center
Coatesville Soup Kitchen
Davie Wierz
Energy Transfer Solutions
Geraldine Ann Manze
Patricia Hall Honda
Shankweiler Family
Vanelswyk family
Bookbag and School Supply Contributors
Advanced AV
Anonymous Donor
Audrey Lapp
BBD, LLP
Bell Chapel True Holiness Church
Bob Raysor
Brilliant Studio
C. C. Adult Parole & Probation
Calvary Fellowship – Downingtown
Chester County Emergency Services
Chester County Library
Chester County Safe Kids Coalition
Citadel
Coatesville Bible Fellowship
Coatesville Center for Community Health
Coatesville PD
Corday Roberts
Davis Marrow
Diane Brownfield
Domestic Relations
First Baptist Church of Pequea
General Electric
Hawkins family
Hutchinson Memorial U.A.M.E.
Juvenile Probation
Kelsey Wheeler
Leigh Ann Pratt
Mission Community Church
Pepperidge Farms
QuikStop Pharmacy
Romansville United Methodist
Shankweiler Family
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Stryker
Target
Tricia Carlino
United Way of Chester County
Velva Foster
Voya Financial
William Todd
Willowdale Chapel
Wings To Go-Downingtown
WMI, Inc. – West Chester
