Warm Springs students receive backpacks filled with supplies and support
Triton Notary
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ)– More than 100 students at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy received a special gift this week: brand new backpacks filled with school supplies, thanks to a community-wide effort supporting local families.
Backpacks of all colors and designs lined the tables as students picked out their favorites, each one packed with pencils, notebooks, and more to help them feel ready for school.
Jodi Begay, a Family Access Network advocate for Warm Springs K-8 Academy told KTVZ News “it meant a lot to them. It was great hearing all their like it was their best day ever. And you know. you think it’s a simple, basic thing, but it is a need and it fulfills so much in a child.”
The event was made possible through partnerships with organizations near and far, focused on helping students and families on the Warm Springs Reservation.
Troy Capps, the assistant principal for Warm Springs K-8 Academy said “knowing that there are people that are just carrying about the reservation and our kids, and you see the smile on their faces and you see the excitement. That’s priceless.”
The Sydney Paige Foundation and Sunriver Christian Fellowship partnered for the effort, committed to making sure kids feel equipped and confident for school.
KTVZ News also spoke to Robert Sessler, a volunteer for the Sydney Paige foundation who said “there’s much more to this than just giving a backpack and school supplies what you’re doing is you’re getting children excited about school again, feeling like they’re part of the school, especially if they’re a low income area.”
It’s the little moments that made a big difference.
Kally Elliott, a pastor for Sunriver Christian Fellowship told KTVZ News “See, little girls chose the same ones with hearts on it. They stood in front of me and said, we have matching backpacks. She turned to her friend and said you have to wear your backpack tomorrow. So it’s just this really, sweet moment where they you could see their joy of, we have the same thing. We’re twins.”
Organizers hope the event inspires more community involvement, helping give every child a strong start to the school year.