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Apple Federal Credit Union Seeks Donations for Back-to-School Supply Drive
One in 10 Children in Fairfax County Lives in Poverty
FAIRFAX, VA (July 24, 2013) — Apple Federal Credit Union kicks off its Collect for Kids Program in northern Virginia today at 11:00 a.m. at Apple’s Kingstowne branch, 6831 Sir Viceroy Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315. Apple is joining community-based organizations to help get backpacks and supplies into the hands that need them most. Spokespeople from Apple and the Fairfax County Fire Department will be on hand to answer questions and show off the supplies already donated.
Apple branches are accepting new back packs and monetary donations made at the branches and from Apple’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AppleFederalCreditUnion), and will match donations up to $5,000 until August 15. Why is this important? Because according to the Fairfax County Public School System, for the 2011-2012 school year, 9.7%, or one in 10, children under age 18 live in poverty. The system also reported that 46,117, or 26.29%, of their student enrollment were eligible for free and reduced lunch.
Susan is a creative and bright 7th grader, but last year she and her younger sister were forced to live out of a car when her single mom suddenly lost her retail job. Under their circumstances, Susan’s mom could not afford the cost of school supplies. But thanks to the Collect for Kids program, Susan and her sister kicked off the school year with brand new back packs full of the needed school supplies and renewed confidence knowing that they would be on par with the other kids.
“Like so many kids helped by this program, Susan and her sister never had anything brand new,” explains Lisa Kelly, teacher at Key Middle School in Springfield, Va. “I see over and over again that when kids start the school year with the supplies they need, it helps their confidence so that they can begin with a good attitude. When they don’t have what they need, it starts chipping away at their self-esteem and self- worth and that affects their success in school.”
“Unfortunately, need has become routine,” says Sophia Echaide-Viafara, a guidance counselor in Fairfax County. “Fairfax is known as a wealthy county but people don’t realize that there is poverty here.”
She recalls a 6th grader, Tracy, whose father had a good job and whose mother stayed home to raise her kids. Despite being well educated with a master’s degree, her dad lost his job and eventually their house, and the family ended up living in a homeless shelter. This change left the parents unable to provide many of the basics, such as school supplies. Thanks to the Collect for Kids program, Tracy and her siblings all received what they needed to start school on the right foot, despite their tough situation, and without feeling singled out because they didn’t have what the other kids did.
In Fairfax County, Apple has joined forces with Fairfax County Public Schools, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and more than a dozen non-profit organizations to collect back packs and cash donations. In addition, at Apple branches in Loudoun, Prince William, Winchester and Stafford counties, donors are also invited to drop off school supplies, in addition to back packs, such as glue sticks, safety scissors, pencils. (see https://www.applefcu.org/AppleWeb/CollectForKids for each county’s full list and branch drop-off locations).
“Last year Apple, along with our community partners, collected 20,000 back packs for kids, and donations to the Collect for Kids program were up 17% from 2011,” explains Cynthia McAree, VP of Marketing for Apple. “This is Apple’s 9th year helping to provide school supplies to kids. Our hope is to increase the number of kids we can help this year because the need continues to grow.”
Apple Federal Credit Union’s Mission: Through a lifelong partnership with anyone touched by education, Apple FCU helps members achieve their dreams by offering competitive financial solutions, with dedicated personal service. Apple exists, not for profit, but for the benefit of its members.