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Volunteers gathered and assembled clear backpacks full of supplies for Beaumont ISD students.
More than 100 members of the Rotary Club of Beaumont gathered at the MCM Elegante Hotel Ballroom on Jan. 25 for their weekly luncheon. Afterward the working lunch, the club volunteers then rolled up their sleeves and manned the process of assisting five local nonprofit organizations by assembling clear backpacks for elementary and middle school students in Beaumont ISD.
The backpacks full of goodies are contributed in recognition of the annual “Rotary Has Heart Day.” This year, the day of love assisted the Cardiovascular Foundation of Southeast Texas, Legacy Health, Boys’ Haven, United Way of Beaumont and the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program.
Rotary Club President JoAnn Brown said, each year, the organization submits an application to their district to fund the community contribution.
“If we are awarded those funds, then we match the funds,” Brown said. “We received a $3,000 grant from Rotary District 5910 and the Rotary Club of Beaumont matched. For that, we created 120 clear backpacks for BISD elementary and middle school students.”
Rotary Club board member Jennifer Gregory said the organization was initially preparing to send bags for expected mothers in Nicaragua, but that effort hit snags that were unable to be overcome.
“So, we pivoted to assemble backpacks,” Gregory advised, adding that the local Rotary Club assembled 60 backpacks for elementary students and 60 backpacks for middle school students.
“The backpacks include paper and composition books, glue and everything they need,” Gregory said. “They also include socks, sanitizers and other stuff.”
Rotary Club members broke into four groups to assemble the backpacks, making short work of the undertaking by utilizing many hands.
“We’re going to distribute them through Sterling Pruitt Center Activity Center, Family Services and the Salvation Army,” added Gregory.
She said representatives from the three distribution points were at the luncheon to receive the backpacks.
“They will then pass them on to the kids that need them,” said Gregory.
Gregory noted the Rotarians also performed “mini service projects” for organizations like the Gift of Life and United Way.
Gregory said the annual “Rotary Has Heart Day” is normally during the week of Valentine’s Day but, this year, the hotel ballroom was already booked so the group scheduled their event earlier.
“We do service projects all the time but this is one where we all can come together and get it done in a day to make a big impact,” said Gregory.