Breaking News
Communities

Elkins Rotary Club fills backpacks for students

2 min read
Submitted photo Helping pack backpacks were Rotarians, from left, Kristie Vandevander, Martha Metheny, Phillips Kolsun, Brian Seders, Dottie Wamsley, Tammie Rizzio, Judie Smith, John Stein, Hoy Ferguson and Mike Ellis. Also participating by not shown were Mark Doak, President Kenny George, Scott Goddard, Jeff Welshonce and his wife, Debbie, Karen Wilmoth and her husband, Bob.

ELKINS -- Members of the Rotary Club of Elkins packed bags for the Backpack Program after their recent Monday meeting. The group assembled at the First United Methodist Church and put together packs that will be distributed to Randolph County students before Thanksgiving break.

The backpack program was started in the spring of 2011 by Liz MacVean with eight backpacks being distributed to students in need. In the fall of 2011, the program moved to the First United Methodist Church and, currently, over 150 packs are distributed to students in Randolph County schools each week.

The current week's pack included canned pasta, peanut butter (which is distributed once a month), soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, oatmeal packets, granola bars, snack crackers, pudding and saltine crackers.

Members of the church, members of the community and local businesses all contribute items each week for the backpacks. In addition to food, there are also special distributions for the students.

"In December, we'll give each elementary student a toboggan and each pre-school student will receive a blanket," said Clair Carowick, FUMC Backpack Program coordinator.

Each week a group of about 15 volunteers get together for about an hour to assemble the backpacks for that week. The packs for Pickens and Harman are delivered to the Randolph County Schools Board Office for distribution by the county food truck. Then, on Friday mornings, a group of volunteers deliver the packs to the remaining schools.

Anyone wishing to help with this project can make donations to the First United Methodist Church by mailing a check to 315 Kerens Ave., Elkins, WV 26241, noting the Backpack Program in the memo line or by visiting the church's website, www.fumcelkinswv.com, and making a secure online gift.

Those wishing to volunteer their time to the program, can call the church Monday-Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 304-636-0660 to make their intentions known. All assistance with this worthwhile project will be greatly appreciated.

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves.

Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page -- Rotary Club of Elkins -- or contact club president Kenny George at kenneth.george@blueridgeriskpartners.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.

Starting at /week.