Media Release: Britepaths Seeks Donations of Funds and Backpacks to Help Local Students in Need

June 29, 2022

Back to School Drive Seeks New Backpacks and Cash Donations to Purchase School Supply Kits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Whetzel, LWhetzel@britepaths.org, 703.273.8829

FAIRFAX, VA (June 27, 2022) – Fairfax-based nonprofit Britepaths is seeking donations of funds and new backpacks in July 2022 to assist 2,500 students in need who attend schools in the Fairfax County area.

Financial donations to Britepaths’ Collect for Kids Back to School Program this summer will allow the organization to purchase pre-assembled school supply kits for 2,500 students in Fairfax County Public Schools’ Fairfax High School and Justice High School pyramids. The organization is also collecting 700 new backpacks, which may be dropped off at local partner businesses or ordered through Amazon.

Community members are asked to donate funds via Britepaths’ secure on-line donation page at: https://britepaths.org/our-services/back-school, or mail a check to 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Write “Back to School” in the memo line. For more information, phone 703.273.8829 or email events@britepaths.org.

Community members may also drop off new backpacks (large sizes are most needed) at local businesses listed below or order via an Amazon Wish List that is linked on Britepaths’ Back to School page. A list of schools whose students are served through this program is below.

Backpack Donation Sites, July 1 through August 1:

  • Alya Salon & Spa, 139 Park St, Vienna, VA 22180
  • Twins Ace Hardware Fairfax, 10310-B Main St, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • University Mall Theatres, 10659-A Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
  • Sugar Mama’s Ice Cream, 11208 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Cinema Arts Theatre, 9650-14 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031
  • Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce/Office Evolution Fairfax, 10304 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • “Hugo the Gargoyle” Little Free Library In Fairfax City’s Old Lee Hills neighborhood, Colony Rd. near Heritage Ln., Fairfax, VA 22030
  • FVCbank, 11325 Random Hills Rd Suite 140, Fairfax, VA 22030

Britepaths is grateful to Godman Power Group, Inc. and Twins Ace Hardware for sponsoring the Back to School Program. Additional sponsorships are welcomed.

In addition to collecting backpacks throughout July, Twins Ace Hardware in Fairfax City is hosting a “round-up at the register” donation campaign July 11-31. Customers may choose to donate the change they would have received from their purchase to Britepaths’ Back to School Program.

Lisa Whetzel, Britepaths’ Executive Director, said, “Working families in our community who were already dealing with the effects of the prolonged pandemic have been further stretched by the higher costs of food, gas, rent and other necessities. When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, the thought of having to find funds for school supplies on top of everything else is extremely stressful. We are grateful to all who are donating this summer to help ease that stress for families and allow children who might otherwise go without be able to start off the new school year unashamed and with all the supplies they need.”

Britepaths’ Collect for Kids Back to School FCPS Partner Schools:

Fairfax High School Pyramid

  • Daniels Run ES
  • Eagle View ES
  • Fairfax HS
  • Fairfax Adult HS
  • Katherine Johnson MS
  • Providence ES
  • Willow Springs ES

Justice High School Pyramid

  • Bailey’s Upper ES
  • Glen Forest ES
  • Justice HS

Other

  • Fairfax Villa ES

About Britepaths

Britepaths is in its 38th year of providing assistance and a way forward for struggling individuals and families in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. During the pandemic, Britepaths has been providing greatly enhanced Food and Financial Assistance services to Fairfax County area residents in crisis, as well as Virtual Financial Literacy, Job Readiness services and more via the Financial Empowerment Center at South County. Throughout the year, the organization relies on funding and volunteer support from businesses, individuals, community organizations and faith communities to provide services that: Stabilize Families with supplemental food and financial assistance; Build Resilience through financial education and workforce development coaching and IT training; and offer Supports for Children: with our Back to School drive, Food4Thought weekend food packs and holiday assistance. More information is available at: britepaths.org.

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Back to School program 2022
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