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Washington Co.
Posted: Aug 12, 2025 8:54 AMUpdated: Aug 12, 2025 8:54 AM
Pack the Backpacks Seeks Volunteers
Tom Davis
The Washington County School Supply Drive, a.k.a. Pack the Backpacks, has just wrapped up their sprint week where volunteers packed school backpacks for Washington County students in need ahead of the start of fall classes.
The Washington County School Supply Drive is a charitable organization helping area students in Headstart through 12th grade and teachers by providing school supplies to those students in need of assistance due to financial difficulties thus helping to make school a better experience for both teachers and students.
Appearing on COMMUNITY CONNECTION, Pat Gamble and Cindy Dronyk with Pack the Backpacks asked, "If some younger people are listening to this, and they would love to get involved in Pack the Backpacks, we would love to hear from them!"
This year, the orgaization packed 2,609 backpacks and about 153 light backpacks. Cindy explained that the light backpacks go to those who were unable to sign up online, or if they forgot the date. We have a bag or sack to give them so that they are prepared as well, but it's not specific by grade, by school or grade. It's just a generic.
Yeah, we give them what we have. We don't go out and buy things for the generic backpacks. Yeah.
So this is, you know, okay, here you go. And we did, as Cindy said, we had 153 people that walked in, either I'm just moving to town, or I forgot, or I have another person that's going to be living with me, or I changed schools and I didn't do it. Or this is the first time I found myself in this situation.
Pack the Backpacks is not affiliated with The United Way or assicated with any corporate programs either--it's all homegroen and local. Pat said, "We ask people all the time to please donate supplies to us, and we're really fortunate. We have a couple of groups, and a lot of churches are deciding they choose a product a month for us." She added, "If there is a church group or another civic group or group that wants to do this, we can let them know what product we're trying to find for that month. We also have a collection bin at the lobby at RSU that anybody at any time can drop off supplies there as well."
If you or your organization wants to help, they can contact them at packthebackpacks.org .
Pat and Cindy reminded everyone they are having some fundraisers coming up. Their restaurant fundraiser is at Mazio's on the August 17th, Sunday afternoon from 4 to 8. Be sure you tell them that you are eating on behalf of Pack the Backpacks and a portion of the proceeds will go to Pack the Backpacks.
You are also invited to play Bingo for the cause on October 25th at St. Luke's Church, 210 E 9th St, in Bartlesville.
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