August 27, 2007 (Vol. 6, No. 1)

Another Success for Lehman's Backpack Drive

It's back to school for millions of New York City schoolchildren, and once again the Lehman community has answered the call for backpack donations. This year's drive collected 70 backpacks to be distributed among homeless children in the metropolitan area.

Operation Backpack NYC is a drive run by Volunteers of America. It asks donors to buy new backpacks and school supplies for homeless children. Donations are organized by grade level.

Marisol Jimenez, assistant director of ISSP (Instructional Support Services Program), brought Operation Backpack to Lehman last year, after hearing about the drive over morning radio. "I thought that Lehman, as an institution of higher education and one named after an individual committed to public service, could play a role in supporting this drive," he explained.

As a former teacher, Jimenez knows how hard it can be for parents who are struggling financially to provide their children with even basic necessities like school supplies. Teachers often spend their own money to provide what's needed, sometimes causing a financial strain for them as well.

"The Lehman community—staff, students, and alumni—is very generous. Last year, we received calls about the drive even after it was over from students and staff who returned to campus after vacation and wanted to participate," Jimenez said.

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