Colorado State University Program Supplies Children A Good Start For School
Friday, August 7, 1998
Note to the editor: Colorado State University volunteers
will organize backpack supplies starting at 10 a.m. August
11 in the Durrell Center. Community and university
volunteers will stuff backpacks starting at 8 a.m. August 12
in the Durrell Center. Backpacks will be delivered to
schools August 13 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. To set up interviews or
photos, contact June Greist at (970) 491-1194.
FORT COLLINS--Colorado State University's School Is Cool
program will provide more than 800 Poudre School District
children with backpacks and supplies this fall.
School Is Cool is a community outreach program designed to
give less-fortunate children the supplies they need to start the
school year. The program, in its seventh year, is funded by
donations from Colorado State employees with support from US WEST
DEX and Norlarco Credit Union. Through the program, university
employees are invited to buy and stuff backpacks or to donate
cash used to purchase packs and supplies. Employees then donate
time to stuff and deliver the backpacks to area schools.
"Having new school supplies provides kids with a sense of
pride as they begin the new year," said Don Unger, Poudre School
District superintendent. "You cannot put a price on getting a
good start and feeling good about yourself. School Is Cool
clearly enables that for a number of our students."
More than a quarter of students enrolled in Poudre School
District participate in the free and reduced-lunch program. The
number of backpacks distributed to each school is based on the
school's percentage of students enrolled in this special lunch
program.
"School Is Cool is a wonderful opportunity for a higher
education institution to reach out to the community and touch the
lives of younger children," said Kathy Phifer, director of the
program and publications coordinator at the university. "We have
been delighted to see the program grow. There are so many
families that need a helping hand, even in a community that looks
affluent on the surface."
When School Is Cool was launched in 1992, 63 backpacks were
distributed. This year, the program received more than $14,000,
enabling the purchase of more than 800 stuffed backpacks.
Every year, the School Is Cool program receives hundreds of
thank-you letters from parents, children and school
administrators. Last year, one student wrote, "Thanks to you I
have a backpack and some school supplies. I will hope you are
here next year. I will never forget you."
After Colorado State volunteers deliver the packs to the 36
participating schools, school principals distribute the backpacks
at their discretion so children and their families are not
identified.
For more information about School Is Cool, call Phifer at
(970) 491-6561.
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