A creative back-to-school mission
The West Island Mission will be organizing their back-to-school event on Aug. 11 and 12 at the Westview Bible Church (16789 Pierrefonds Blvd.) in Pierrefonds.
Many parents will be racing through stores in search of books, backpacks and new outfits for their kids.
Unfortunately that is not a reality that all families can afford. This year is expected to be particularly hard for families hit by the recent flooding.
“Our numbers are up quite a bit from last year. (The flooding) is a big part of the reason. Twenty families that are flood victims are receiving aid this year. This is in addition to our regular families. That’s about 40 extra kids,” said Wendy Gariepy, operations manager at West Island Mission.
The West Island Mission is a non-profit organization that provides well-balanced, high-quality food assistance and other related aid to the less fortunate living in the West Island. This year they will be outfitting 465 children in the West Island, with fully-loaded backpacks, toothbrushes, healthy snacks and second-hand clothing.
The event is about seeing something that so many of us just don’t understand. “You think second-hand clothing is such a little thing or a backpack is just such a little thing but when you see a teenager walk out feeling like a million bucks, to me that makes the whole event worth it right there,” Gariepy said.
If you’re interested in giving to those in need, you can sponsor a backpack. A $20 donation will provide a child with a good quality backpack, school supplies appropriate to the child’s grade level, a toothbrush, healthy snacks and treats. The West Island Mission only purchases top-quality supplies and backpacks but in bulk to save money.
For Gariepy, the event is not only about the school supplies, but about building self-esteem in kids. They do better when they are excited to go to school. “That is the underlying reason for the event. We want the kids to succeed. We want the kids to move through life and be in a better position as adults.”
The event will be held on Friday, Aug. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. That is when all the backpacks will be assembled. It is open to volunteers from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Recipients will also receive fruits, veggies, toiletries, milk and bread at the same time. Then on Saturday, Aug. 12, it is open to the recipient families and volunteers only from 9:30 to 2 p.m. Email wimmoi@hotmail.com if you’re interested in volunteering. If you’re looking to sponsor backpacks you can go wimmoi.org and hit the donate now button with an option to sponsor a backpack.