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