You Can Make a Difference in the
Lives of Massachusetts Children
in Need

For most children, going back to school means new
pencils, notebooks, folders, backpacks, clothes and
shoes... pretty much everything needed to start the
school year off right. But for children who are homeless, at-risk and from low-income families, back-to-school shopping isn't always an option.

This summer, Volunteers of America Massachusetts, the Major League Baseball Players Trust sponsored Boston Action Team and the Citizens Bank Foundation are collecting backpacks and school supplies to help deserving children start the school year off right and we need your help!

Helping is as Simple as 1, 2, 3!

1. Donate a Backpack - fill a backpack with items from the supply list and bring it to Volunteers of America Massachusetts by August 20, 2010.

2. Fund a Backpack Scholarship - make a donation to the Operation Backpack Scholarship for $50, $100 or $250 and we'll buy and deliver the backpack and supplies in your name.

3. Donate Your Time - host an Operation Backpack drive among family, friends and co-workers. Organize the collection and delivery of backpacks and supplies by the August 20, 2010 deadline.

- 193,000 children are living in poverty in Massachusetts

- Of those, 17,505 are homeless

- This year, less than 25% will graduate from high school

You Can Make a Difference in the
Lives of Massachusetts Children
in Need

For most children, going back to school means new
pencils, notebooks, folders, backpacks, clothes and
shoes... pretty much everything needed to start the
school year off right. But for children who are homeless, at-risk and from low-income families, back-to-school shopping isn't always an option.

This summer, Volunteers of America Massachusetts, the Major League Baseball Players Trust sponsored Boston Action Team and the Citizens Bank Foundation are collecting backpacks and school supplies to help deserving children start the school year off right and we need your help!

Helping is as Simple as 1, 2, 3!

1. Donate a Backpack - fill a backpack with items from the supply list and bring it to Volunteers of America Massachusetts by August 20, 2010.

2. Fund a Backpack Scholarship - make a donation to the Operation Backpack Scholarship for $50, $100 or $250 and we'll buy and deliver the backpack and supplies in your name.

3. Donate Your Time - host an Operation Backpack drive among family, friends and co-workers. Organize the collection and delivery of backpacks and supplies by the August 20, 2010 deadline.

- 193,000 children are living in poverty in Massachusetts

- Of those, 17,505 are homeless

- This year, less than 25% will graduate from high school