Staff and students at Ross Medical Education Center in Brighton, MI wanted to help area students and their families this fall as the back-to-school season is in full swing. For many families, this is an exciting time filled with shopping for new clothes and supplies. However, for other families, this could mean parents having to tell their children that they do not have the money to buy needed school supplies. This creates a situation that is devastating to both parents and children. It also means that many students will begin the school year without those things they need to be successful.
This year, Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA), headquartered in Howell, Michigan again hosted the annual “Backpacks for Kids” project. Held through the month of August 2014, the goal of the project is to provide those Livingston County students whose families are currently experiencing financial hardship with basic school supplies. LESA is a leader in early childhood education running both the Head Start and Great Start Readiness programs in Livingston County. They also provide transportation to four out of the five county school districts. LESA also partners with Washtenaw Intermediate School District to provide more support for general education initiatives in each Livingston County public school. The county high schools are now home to career and technical education programs hosted by LESA. After over fifty years of service to Livingston County, this organization continues to provide the essential and mandated services while also supporting the local districts and their students to meet the educational challenges of this century head on.
The Brighton Campus of Ross Medical Education Center wanted to extend the effort by hosting their own “Backpacks for Kids” project with donations to be given to the cause. During the first two weeks of August, students, staff, and faculty collected items such as colored pencils, spiral notebooks, and backpacks. To see the colorful variety of supplies was overwhelming. “I can only imagine the look of total excitement on a child’s face when they receive a backpack full of school supply goodies!” said Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administrative student Ashley Michling. Last year alone, LESA disbursed over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to local students. The Brighton Campus was very excited for the opportunity to help LESA this year. Their goal was to try to exceed last year’s number of backpacks given to students. Livingston Educational Service Agency also hosts “Stuff the Bus” throughout the month. For this event, they take a school bus to different locations, such as Walmart, to help promote the event as well as collect donated supplies. For more information about LESA, call them at 517-546-5550 or visit them online at www.livingstonesa.org.
