Last year, backpacks were filled with pencils, scissors, spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, crayons and tissues. Dr. Joe Taron, with the help of the Pottawatomie County Dental Association, gave each child a toothbrush, while a local Gideon bought a Bible for each backpack. Sue Nelson, Army volunteer, said one little boy's cheers of glee proved to her the value of the program. Momma, it's new. It makes you wonder how he got his stuff to school the year before.
Little kids have pride, too.
God has a way of showing us what we have to do. God puts us where we're supposed to be. Rotarians already have pledged to donate 500 backpacks this year, Nelson said. But supplies to go inside still are needed. Companies even can donate items such as pens, pencils and rulers that are printed with their company logo, Gargis said.