| Kaye Koevenig, of the “Backpack to the Future” program, adjusts the straps on a donated backpack for Eagle Point kindergartner Anika Werdner as classmate Olivia Rust checks out the bag and Megan Odneal waits her turn. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune) |
Owens Community College’s Alumni Association recently brightened many children’s lives through a unique
community service endeavor titled “Backpack to the Future.”
Over 420 backpacks and more than 8,200 school supply items collected throughout the summer months were
donated to 16 area elementary schools during the month of September.
Recipients were children through the Community Learning Center of Wood County serving sites at Glenwood
Elementary School in Rossford, Northwood Elementary School, Grand Rapids Elementary School in Otsego,
Powell Elementary School in North Baltimore, Luckey Elementary School in Eastwood, Brunner Elementary
School in Genoa, Woodmore Elementary School, Olney Elementary School in Northwood, and Conneaut, Crim
and Kenwood elementary schools in Bowling Green.
“Owens Community College is extremely thankful to the campus community and area residents throughout the
Northwest Ohio region for their support of the ‘Backpack to the Future’ program,” said Kaye Koevenig,
Owens Alumni Association Community Service chairwoman.
“Every child should have the opportunity to succeed in school and Owens is proud to play a part in
helping them begin their school year with new educational resources.”
Over the past three months, “Backpack to the Future” accepted gently-used or new backpacks and new school
supplies from area residents to assist disadvantaged school children throughout Northwest Ohio.
In addition to backpacks, individuals donated crayons, markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, colored
pencils, pencils, pink erasers, school boxes, pocket folders, marbled covered composition books and
Kleenex tissues.
The project was done in collaboration with Books-A-Million, two Walt Churchill’s Market locations, three
Great Lakes Credit Union branches and five Genoa Bank branches
“The Wood County Educational Service Center is very fortunate to have area residents and educational
partners such as Owens Community College providing help and support in the form of educational resources
for children,” said Warren Fauver, Director of the Community Learning Centers of the Wood County
Educational Service Center.
“Owens Community College’s donation of backpacks and school supplies will go a long way in brightening
the day for many children and assist them in the learning process.”
In addition to the donated supplies, the program collected over $1,429 from community members. The
charitable donations go toward the purchase of even more school supplies.
“I like learning,” said Megan Odneal, a 5-year-old kindergartener from Rossford’s Glenwood Elementary
School, following the school supply donation event.
“I really like my teacher reading us stories and drawing puppies, like my dog Chili.”
The Owens Alumni Association established “Backpack to the Future” supply drive in 2004 as a way to
provide educational outreach to the surrounding communities.
To date, the program has given 2,356 backpacks and 42,661 school supplies.
