NVFS Back to School Drive Helps Children Get a Great Start in School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kristin Derlunas
Northern Virginia Family Service
Community/Media Relations
703-219-2123, kderlunas@nvfs.org

Oakton, Va., June 15, 2006-Northern Virginia Family Service's (NVFS) 2006 Back To School Drive is now underway, and the agency is seeking help from the community to make the drive a success. Each year, through the generous support of donors throughout Northern Virginia, NVFS is able to provide much-needed school supplies to hundreds of children.

"Many of us don't think about the importance of having adequate school supplies, but for many children, it means that they will have the tools they need to learn and succeed in school," said NVFS President and CEO Mary Agee. "As an individual, or corporate donor, anyone can have the opportunity to help a child develop his or her full academic potential."

Each summer, NVFS helps children of low-income families prepare for the school year ahead by equipping them with new school supplies. The supplies will be distributed to children who participate, or whose families are involved, in NVFS programs. The children being served this year come from a variety of family, social and economic circumstances and cover a wide age range (preschool through high school).

Participants will be provided with a child's first name, age, gender and grade level as well as what they will need to begin school. A typical donation would consist of a backpack and several items such as notebooks, paper, pencils, etc. Gift cards or monetary donations are also accepted. Supplies must be collected by July 31 so that the items can be delivered to the families before school starts in the fall.

For more information on how to donate school supplies or volunteer your time to this special project, please call (703) 219-3978.

Established in 1924, Northern Virginia Family Service is a private, non-profit community serviceresource dedicated to helping individuals and families find new paths to self-reliance and brighter futures. Each year, NVFS helps more than 24,000 people find affordable housing, counseling and child care; access to low-cost medical and dental services; foster and respite care, job training; trauma recovery; and much more. For more information, visit www.nvfs.org.

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