United Way Northumberland is partnering with Port Hope mortgage broker Sarah Turck for a community-wide school supply drive to help local kids start the school year strong. The event – Fill the Ram, Fuel Young Minds – takes place Monday, July 21st, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. outside the Giant Tiger store in Cobourg.
Turck will be parking her Dodge Ram truck outside the store and inviting community members to “fill the Ram” with donations of new backpacks, crayons, markers, water bottles, binders, and books. All donations go toward the Backpacks for Kids program, which has been supporting students across Northumberland County since 2005.
This year, United Way is expanding the program to support early literacy by including age-appropriate storybooks and activity books in backpacks for younger children. “Reading skills built early in life shape future confidence and opportunity,” says Alicia Vandine, Executive Director of United Way Northumberland.
The goal is to collect supplies for 850 backpacks ahead of the annual Packing Party a community volunteer event happening in August at the Cobourg Lions Centre.
To make the event fun for the whole family, the day will also feature appearances from Thompson Motorsports with real race cars, the K9ine Security canine team, and members of the Port Hope Panthers hockey team.
Community members can bring new supplies to donate or purchase items at Giant Tiger during the event. Every donation, big or small, helps ensure local kids return to school with confidence and support.
For more information, contact Alicia Vandine at United Way Northumberland at 905-372-6955 or avandine@nuw.unitedway.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
