On Thursday, September 7, 2023, the Washington, D.C., chapter of the International WeLoveU Foundation donated backpacks and school supply kits to 418 students at Miner Elementary School in Kingman Park. The school population is over two-thirds at-risk students who deal with homelessness, food insecurity, or the foster care system.
Earlier in the summer, the WeLoveU D.C. chapter donated school supplies to students in Manassas, Virginia, as part of the Closing the Gap: Packs on Backs nationwide program. Through corporate donations from Booz Allen Hamilton and The Architectural Team, the D.C. chapter was able to help two schools in the area.
Last month (August 2023), “The Hill,” based in Washington, D.C., posted an article on the rising costs of school supplies and how it has also impacted educators. School supplies for classrooms are becoming an out-of-pocket expense for teachers. The National Education Association held a survey where 90% of working teachers cover the costs of school supplies for the students in their classrooms. The nation’s district is no exception.
The WeLoveU DC chapter hosted the donation event during the school’s back-to-school night, where families and students meet their teachers before the first day of classes. John Casas, WeLoveU’s vice president of community engagement, gave opening remarks to excite the students. “We want the students to know that not only do your family, teachers, and classmates support you, but we [WeLoveU Foundation] ‘got your back’ with the backpack donations today.”
Principal Lawrence Dance expressed his appreciation for the group’s donation and dedication to bringing everyone a smile during the event. “We are a Title 1 school. A large majority of our students are from low-income households, so it means a lot for them to be able to receive a backpack and pick out one they like.”
In 2023, the International WeLoveU Foundation will donate backpacks to schools in California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
3 thoughts on “418 Miner Elementary Students Receive New Backpacks”
I hope these kids feel empowered to do their best in school! The backpacks are so cute and colorful!
Wow, this event greatly assisted with the education of these students. This is so heart warming to see. Amazing job to the WeLoveU organization and the chairwoman Zahng Gil-Jah!
The adults look as equally happy as the children to receive the backpacks & tools from the We ❤️ U Foundation. It must have brought them much relief in the current economic situation to be able to receive support for the children in this way!