Representatives from The Reading Connection, First Book, Boeing and partner agencies stuff backpacks with a set of supplies and books. Photo Contributed
Arlington — The Reading Connection (TRC) and local employees of The Boeing Company recently stuffed more than 900 backpacks full of supplies and books for local at-risk children.
During the month of July, Boeing employees donated funds and gathered supplies in support of the company’s annual Books & Backpacks drive. With the help of TRC and First Book, the funds were used to purchase the backpacks, supplies and book using First Book’s award-winning Marketplace, which allows registered organizations to purchase books and educational materials at a 50-90 percent discount off retail prices.
Representatives from TRC, First Book, Boeing and partner agencies spent the morning of Aug. 7 stuffing each of the backpacks with a set of supplies and books that will help local children in need. At the end of the event, the backpacks were distributed to shelters and affordable housing organizations who are TRC partners.
TRC was founded in 1989 by three Arlington school teachers. In fiscal year 2015, it served 1,100 children and distributed 13,700 free, new books with the assistance of 250 volunteers.
First Book, an international nonprofit, provides new, free and low-cost books to programs and schools that serve children in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed almost 130 million books to schools and community programs around the country that work directly with children from low-income families. See www.firstbook.org.