Prince William, VA, August 20, 2009:
Regional Chamber Back-to-School Drive Evolves With Community Needs
Young Professionals Network Lend a Helping Hand to Tools for School
In the 1990’s, the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce launched a modest school supply drive, encouraging members to drop items off at its offices, with staff taking the collected supplies to local not-for-profits. The Region’s Chamber expanded the scope of the program as the community grew. In 2002, member Maria Paslick of SAI Engineering volunteered her daughters’ Girl Scout troop to help collect and deliver the growing supply of back-to-school items, by then being collected at several sites.
This year, dozens of Chamber members throughout the Prince William area served as drop-off sites. Bargain Boxes Moving & Storage then helped to collect the supplies and Restoring Lives Community Development Corporation will distribute them to families with demonstrated financial need. Additionally, the Chamber’s Young Professional Network organized an outing to help assemble back-to-school kits at Restoring Lives.
“It was a great idea to incorporate the Young Professional Network this year. Not only was it a chance for me to meet more YPs in the area, but also to be a part of something that would benefit students in need from our local community,” said Tanya Kern of Northern Virginia Community College, an active YP Network member.
“It was fantastic to see the volunteers in action, assembling the donated supplies,” added Lauren Mooney of Compton & Duling, another Chamber YP.
Kadi Traore of Restoring Lives began processing requests for supplies in June, and said that she is looking forward to handing them out this Saturday, August 22, during a “Back to School Extravaganza.” This daylong community festival is held at the Ferlazzo Building and provides fun activities for children, as well as financial planning information and other resources for parents.
“We could not have done this without the help of the Prince William Regional Chamber and its members,” said Kadi Traore of Restoring Lives.
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