CASA of CGS is excited to announce that we have partnered with Operation South Jersey to provide school supplies to foster youth and children in need throughout our three counties. The fundraiser spans the course of the summer, and we encourage community involvement to help reach our goal of providing every South Jersey child and family in need with supplies to foster a successful school year come September.
Our annual campaign has been a staple of our community since 2017, when we launched our first Back-to-School Drive together. Since then, we have provided our local communities with over 1300 backpacks filled with books and various school supplies to support the education of our children.
“We want to make sure we are supporting our youth all year long with projects that benefit their unique needs,” says Hillary Nichols, Founder of Operation South Jersey. “Our Back-to-School Drive is a great way to get our community involved in supporting each other and ensuring our local youth have all the tools they need to succeed, especially after such a rough year.”
The COVID-19 pandemic left an irrefutable mark on our education system that continues to affect our children, our teachers, and our families. Navigating the drastic changes has been difficult across the board, but coming together in unity and support for each other through service has helped push our communities through. Operation South Jersey and CASA of CGS have been consistent sources of support and advocacy for children and families in South Jersey, and our Back-to-School Drive provides an added layer of relief during these unprecedented times.
“Most of our kids are really looking forward to being in person again with their friends and teachers, especially after missing so much normality this past year,” says Jennifer Henderson, Program Director at CASA of CGS. “This drive is a great way to help a child feel confident and prepared to tackle a new school year. It will really give them some hope for new beginnings.”
If you are interested in donating to support local youth, you can sponsor a child by donating on our website. We are also accepting donations via our Amazon Wish List, which sends the supplies directly to our office at Hopeloft on 40 East Commerce Street in Bridgeton. The Amazon Wish List can also be used as a reference if you prefer shopping in-person; if you choose this option, please drop off your donations to the foyer of the Hopeloft building at 40 East Commerce Street in Bridgeton. Reach out to Hillary Nichols at hillary@hopeloft.com with any questions.
To stay up-to-date on Operation South Jersey’s projects and volunteer opportunities, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and visit their website at https://www.operationsouthjersey.com/
To stay up-to-date on CASA of CGS’s projects and volunteer opportunities, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and visit our website at www.wespeakupforchildren.org