Summer may be in its early stages, but Phoenix-area youths know the next school year is around the corner, and attendees at the National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) took time Tuesday to give them a hand.
The eighth annual “Make a Child Smile” community service event, sponsored by Adeptive Software, saw attendees put together book bags with school supplies to help for foster children through Arizona Helping Hands.
“NS3 brings professionals from across the country together for collaboration and partnership. In addition to our networking and educational offerings, we also work together to help support children in the community receive a quality education,” October Research, LLC Publisher and CEO Erica Meyer said. “We are happy to once again partner with Adeptive Software and encourage all our attendees to participate in this community outreach event."
Arizona Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization that is the largest provider of basic essential items for boys and girls in foster care throughout Arizona.
The bags were presented to a representative of Arizona Helping Hands during opening ceremonies Wednesday at NS3, which is being conducted at the Arizona Biltmore resort.
“We are excited to support the local communities of our customers and industry during the NS3 Summit again this year,” Adeptive Software President Bryan Buus said. “Partnering with Arizona Helping Hands foster care program, elementary children will be ready for the school year when NS3 attendees come together to stuff backpacks with supplies. We hope all will take a moment to help us bring a smile to a child's face on their first day of school.”
In addition to back-to-school supplies, Arizona Helping Hands offers new beds and cribs to more than 13,000 children in foster care, as well as gifts and toiletries. Its back-to-school drive served 6,500 boys and girls last year.
“Arizona Helping Hands is truly appreciative of Adeptive Software and October Research for supporting boys and girls in foster care throughout the state and helping to send them back to school ready with a new backpacks filled with school supplies,” said Sherie Siegel, director of programs and services at Arizona Helping Hands. “Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of essential items for children in foster care in Arizona. Our primary focus is providing a new bed and/or crib to the 14,000 boys and girls currently in foster care in the state. Additionally we provide diapers, wipes, clothing, toiletries, birthday gifts, holiday toys and new backpacks filled with school supplies.
“Many times children enter foster care with only the clothes they are wearing. A new backpack is so extremely important, it sets the child up for success, feeling proud and ready to start the school year. With your help, 247 elementary aged children in foster care will be able to start the school year with a new backpack filled with quality school supplies. Thank you for the support!”
Previous community service organizations participating in the Make a Child Smile event include: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Texas Foster Care and Adoption Services, Charlotte Ronald McDonald House Charities, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, The St. Bernard Project and Ohio Guidestone.