LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The Backpack Brigade came to Langley for the first time this year to help out Air Force families in need.
Airmen from different squadrons volunteered to help fill backpacks with school supplies, donated by the Langley's Officers' Spouses Club and the local community. The Backpack Brigade, sponsored by Operation Homefront of Hampton Roads, teamed up with Langley Club 5/6 to plan the event and set it in motion.
"The Backpack Brigade program is for military members E-1 through E-6, and is meant to help alleviate some of the financial burdens parents may have, especially during the start of the school year," said Mischelle Trigo, Operation Homefront of Hampton Roads director of operations and former enlisted Air Force member. The backpacks are for military members in real need and are meant to supplement supplies parents have purchased.
Donation boxes were placed in Dollar Tree stores around the local community for customers to donate supplies, said Mrs. Trigo. Volunteers then collected the school supplies from various store locations and then placed them inside the backpacks Aug. 3.
"Buying school supplies can be expensive, so it's great to have a program that can aid to those in need," said Senior Airman Jordan Addotta, 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance equipment journeyman.
The backpacks will be distributed Aug. 10 to children in kindergarten through grade 12, who attend schools in the local area. For more information on
Backpack Brigade 2009, call Mrs. Trigo at 806-6150.