WOW! A new “link”, First Lady Maria Lee’s “Tennessee Serves”, has been added to Lauderdale County Family Resource Center (FRC) partnerships. This initiative has donated free backpacks to students in distressed areas in Tennessee. At the end of last school year, we were contacted by the office of Mrs. Lee, explaining the initiative and inquiring of our need; we gratefully responded.
Thanks to her initiative, this school year—2021-2022, our FRC received over 100 backpacks for students in elementary through high school. Through her benevolence, many students were excited to receive new colorful and quality filled backpacks. Parents were just as excited (maybe more so) because many have been so impacted by our current challenges, both economically and emotionally.
School supplies for the backpacks were donated by our generous local community. We are very thankful for the support of the following donors:
- Bank of Ripley
- First Citizens Bank
- Bank Tennessee
- New Hope Baptist Church (Cherry)
- Xi Lambda Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
- Lauderdale County Family Resource Center Advisory Council
- Mrs. Billie Young, Principal, Alternative Learning Academy
- Junior Auxiliary of Lauderdale County
Not only were the backpacks a great gift to the FRC, but they also afforded a “fun” gathering in “filling the packs”. Local students and Advisory Council Members had fun and fellowship “stuffing the packs”. We also thank Mrs. Rachel DePriest, representing Junior Auxiliary of Lauderdale County, for additional supplies.
We thank all in our community for their support to our students in so many back-to-school initiatives. You make such a difference in our students’ lives!