Chicago – As students prepared for the new school year, State Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago) joined forces with the Office Depot Foundation to donate over 200 backpacks to local families for the upcoming school year. The John Fritchey Youth Foundation distributed the backpacks to local schools throughout the community to be given to incoming 1st graders. Among the participating schools were Drummond, Hamilton and Pulaski, as well as St. Vincent DePaul.
Representative Fritchey presents backpacks to the staff of St. Vincent de Paul Center.
In this photo (From left to right): Representative John Fritchey, Michelle Brown, Child Care Supervisor, Don Hamilton, Director of Child Care & Julia Kittle, Development Coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul Center.
“In these tough times, I am especially happy to be able to provide assistance to hundreds of our local students,” said Rep. Fritchey. “These backpacks help lighten the financial load for many families while giving our children the necessary tools to begin a successful school year.”
Local principals were delighted to receive the backpacks on behalf of the incoming 1st graders. “The backpacks are colorful and cool. Our children will love them!” replied Principal Kent of Burley School, one of recipient schools. “We are so appreciative.”
The majority of the backpacks were provided to families who have been facing especially hard times during the economic downturn. “St. Vincent de Paul Center is extremely grateful to receive a very generous donation of backpacks, which will be distributed to children in our school age program whose families are struggling to make ends meet and have difficulty being able to purchase school supplies,” stated Carrie Callas, St. Vincent de Paul Center Executive Director. “On behalf of our families, we are truly appreciative of the consistent generosity of the Lincoln Park community and Representative Fritchey’s office.”
Almost a decade ago, State Representative Fritchey created the John Fritchey Youth Foundation, designed to create educational and recreational opportunities for local children through the sponsorship of academic and sports programs. “On many fronts, it’s hard being a kid these days,” stated Rep. Fritchey. “I’d like to do whatever I can to make it a little easier.”