Community Choice Starts the School Year with a Backpack Giveaway
Community Choice Credit Union was happy to help thousands of local families get the new school year started on a positive note thanks to its annual backpack giveaways.
In July and August, backpacks were distributed during events at eight of the credit union’s member centers across the state. The socially distanced drive-up events resulted in happy kids and grateful parents.
“It was so nice to see the smiles on the kids’ faces as they selected their backpacks,” said Jeremy Cybulski, community engagement manager at Community Choice. “Several community sponsors really stepped up and helped make each event different and special, at all eight member centers. Some of the events had pizza, others had hot dogs or ice cream available.”
Backpack giveaways were held at the following member centers:
- Hillsdale
- Jackson
- Livonia
- Holland
- Wyandotte
- Muskegon
- Warren
- Redford
The credit union’s investment of more than $32,000 helped provide 2,000 kids with backpacks, each filled with school supplies. Other backpacks were given to individual families unable to attend the events, and 350 backpacks were donated to various organizations, including Wayne Westland Student Resource Center, Muslim Student Association, Jackson YMCA, Salvation Army summer camps in the downriver area and Volunteers of America.
Community Choice also extended a thanks to the local businesses that made these events so successful with donations: K105 radio in Jackson (100 backpacks); Gleaners Community Food Bank (23,000 pounds of food); Redford Police Department (passed out backpacks); Destiny Dental (400 toothbrush kits); Jackson Family Health (hand sanitizer for the backpacks); Meijer stores in Warren, Jackson, and Livonia ($500 gift cards); and Community Choice team members (funds to purchase backpack items).
Cybulski said plans are already in the works for next year’s events, with the hopes of reaching even more families.
“We love these events; we look forward to them every year,” said Cybulski. “They embody what we do at Community Choice: making a positive impact in the lives of our members and communities across Michigan.”
