United Way of Central Indiana to host Boone County Backpack United Festival
Boone County community leaders and corporate partners to provide 800 backpacks filled with school supplies to local school children in need LEBANON, IN (July 27, 2017) – United Way of Central Indiana – Area Northwest along with over 40 community partners joined together this month to collect new school supplies for Boone County children in need. This Saturday, hundreds of families will gather on Main Street in Lebanon, Indiana to receive donated backpacks and partake in other festival activities. What: Boone County Backpack United Festival Where: Lebanon Area Boys & Girls Club (403 W. Main Street, Lebanon, IN 46052) When: Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Who: Boone County school childrenWhy: In Boone County, 18% (2,225) of K-12 students qualify for free or reduced lunch services, and these families often struggle to meet basic needs and cannot afford school supplies for their children. Details: More than 2,000 people will attend the Boone County Backpack Festival where children will receive free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, hearing and vision screenings, socks, underwear, and books. Local law enforcement and fire department representatives will provide tours of cars and a fire truck. 26 local agencies will participate in the festival and more than 40 area businesses and churches served as collection sites. Interview and b-roll opportunities:United Way Area Northwest Director Aaron Gore will be available for interviews throughout the morning. Contact Aaron directly upon arrival at 317.640.2573. To set up an interview in advance, email Ty Spisak at ty.spisak@uwci.org. 7:30 a.m. – Setup for backpack distribution begins and families will begin to arrive8 a.m. – Participating agencies arrive to setup stations9 a.m. – Festival opens and families will move through the collection line for backpacks9 – 11 a.m. – Community members will enjoy other festival activities including: free haircuts, hearing and vision screenings, bounce house, face painting, free book station, free ice cream and opportunities to interact with community resource vendor tables.