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By Roz Rogoff

About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and...  (More)

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Backpacked with care is back

Uploaded: Jul 23, 2014

I'm turning over my blog this week to Esther Lucas, Gary Lucas, and Nicole Blazin for their Backpacked with Care Project. I've donated backpacks and school supplies to this program for the last two years. It's an innovative program that helps kids get off to a good start in the new school year. You can donate supplies, backpacks, or cash to help prepare kids for school. Here is the email from Esther Lucas, with some minor edits for continuity.

"This is the fourth year since Nicole, Gary and I started collecting backpacks for the Backpacked with Care Project where we provide fully loaded backpacks to two San Ramon elementary schools that distribute them to their students who are unable to afford school supplies.

Yes, indeed there are approximately 170 children in San Ramon elementary schools who qualify for the subsidized school lunch program. To qualify for this program, a family of 4 must earn less than $41,000 per year. While many of us are blessed with nice homes and good incomes, many in our community are struggling to make ends meet.

Thank you all for your past commitment to this worthy project. The schools and students are so very thankful for the school supplies. If you want to participate, please simply drop off your loaded backpack to Esther Lucas' office at 2226 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, by Wednesday, August 20.

Two other volunteers, Pat Edwards and Shirley Ernest, have accumulated quite a few supplies; however they desperately need backpacks?.so should you only want to purchase backpacks, you can also deliver those to Esther's office as well. They ask that you consider providing a $10 donation if you can to cover the remainder of the supplies they need to fully load them all. They have almost enough supplies for 40 backpacks! Wow, way to go Pat and Shirley!!

Another alternative is to use Pat and Shirley as your personal shoppers. They love to shop! If you only wish to donate cash, please donate $30 and they will do the shopping for you!

Time is of the essence since school starts on August 25th. We would like to deliver the backpacks on Friday, the 22nd. So please deliver your fully loaded backpacks no later than Wednesday, August 20, and for backpacks and cash only by Friday, August 15. Thank you all for your commitment to this wonderful project!! Feel free to pass this email on to others who might be interested in participating this year?Let the shopping begin!!"

Here is the list of what is needed in each backpack

1 Backpack
? 12 #2 Pencils
? 24 Crayons
? 2 Glue Sticks
? 1 Pink Eraser
? 8 Broad Tip Markers
? 1 Pair of Scissors
? 1 Pencil Case
? 1 Wide-Ruled Spiral Bound Notebook
? 3 Pocket Folders
? 12 Colored Pencil Crayons
? 1 Mead Composition Book
? 1 Ruler
? 3 Pens

Esther, Gary and Nicole
Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 24, 2014 at 10:07 am

now if what you gals are doing is not a GOOD DEED then i'm not Cholo...GRACIAS!


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jul 24, 2014 at 1:51 pm

San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Cholo & readers in Livermore & Pleasanton,

Esther Lucas and Nicole Blazin are San Ramon City employees. They work in the Parks and Recreation Department and have a lot of contact with residents and especially children.

Pat Edwards retired as San Ramon's City Clerk last year and Shirley Ernest is very active in the San Ramon Senior Center.

Perhaps you could start a similar program in your cities next year if there isn't one already in place. I'm sure there are children in Pleasanton and Livermore who would benefit from having school backpacks too.

This kind of generosity really makes a difference to a young child. I recall a story Oprah Winfrey told about growing up very poor and some nuns brought her family gifts one Christmas and the difference that made in her life. Web Link

Roz


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Aug 8, 2014 at 3:51 pm

San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Good news from Esther Lucas on the Backpack project. I just received this email:

"Surprise! A nurse from John Muir Hospital just dropped off 20 fully loaded backpacks from the nurses in her unit. She saw your blog, Roz, and lives in San Ramon so thought this would be a good project! I was overwhelmed at their generosity!

So now we are up to 49 fully loaded backpacks so far and many more coming in the next week!!

Thanks Roz for your publicity!!

Esther"

Let's hope we can raise more money for Lulu's operation now too.


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Aug 25, 2014 at 11:57 pm

San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Here's a final comment from Esther Lucas' Facebook page Web Link with a photo of 103 backpacks ready for delivery to an elementary school in San Ramon in time for the start of the school year. "Thanks everyone who donated and (Esther's) partners Nicole Blazin, Gary Lucas, Patricia Edwards and Shirley & David Ernest ...way to go!"

Way to go, Esther and All from me too.

Roz


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