The Rochester Kiwanis, Rochester Hills Lions, and the Rochester Rotary clubs are working together to celebrate and give back to the community with a joint service event held July 14 – August 1. Starting a new school year can be difficult and frightening for any child, especially for children in foster care. The project will focus on collecting new backpacks for children in the foster care system.
The three service clubs are again combining efforts to help foster kids by providing them with school backpacks through the Samaritas backpack drive. School supplies are needed for all ages and genders and include backpacks, notebooks, crayons, #2 pencils, erasers, markers, rulers, scissors, and more.
"Imagine the difference we can make when we harness the power of our three service organizations, all of whom share a passion for taking action and creating lasting change," said Kiwanis President Chuck Bissell.
Rochester Rotary President Kyle Johnson said, "We looked around for a project that would serve children in particular and decided to focus on foster children again this year."
“The Rochester Hills Lions believe children in the foster care system need this special support,” said the club president David Meyers.
Foster care is a temporary living situation for children whose parents cannot care for them and whose need for care has come to the attention of child welfare agency staff. While in foster care, children may live with relatives, with foster families, or in group facilities. Over 13,500 children in Michigan are fostered.
Drop boxes for donated items will be available at Eugenias 3rd Street Hair Gallery in downtown Rochester. Donation boxes will be available from July 14th – August 1st.
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International clubs and members are dedicated to serving the world's children in 85 nations and geographic areas.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer business leaders dedicated to improving lives at local and international levels, from helping those in need in their communities to working toward a polio-free world.
The Lions support global services that present significant challenges to humanity.
Although all three local clubs are associated with international organizations, the backpack service project is designed to help foster children throughout the Detroit Metro Area.