Roughnecks team up with Na’amat Canada Calgary
School Supplies for Kids
On October 24th The Calgary Roughnecks, along with close to 100 other Na’amat Canada Calgary volunteers, gathered to fill 875 backpacks with pencils, paper, scissors and other school supplies.
“It’s heartwarming to see how many people of all ages come together to volunteer at our mega-packing day. Without their help the Na’amat Canada Calgary School Supplies for Kids project wouldn’t be possible,” says Linda Gutman, School Supplies for Kids Volunteer Coordinator.
This was the final stage for the non-profit Jewish women’s organization’s School Supplies for Kids project for the year.
Since its inception in 1998, the Na’amat Calgary community service project has provided more than ten thousand children who were being cared for in Calgary region domestic violence shelters with backpacks filled with school supplies.
“Without the financial support from corporations, foundations like the Calgary Roughnecks, and individuals, as well as the school supplies Calgarians drop off at our donation bin at Office Depot this would not have been possible,” says Stephanie Sacks, School Supplies for Kids Chairperson.
Every year, more than 1,250 school-aged children are cared for in the 11 Calgary region domestic violence shelters.
“The children at the shelters have been through so much and even though a backpack and school supplies might not seem like it would make a big difference, the representatives from the shelters have told us how the children light-up when they receive one of our backpack kits, and how it is a highlight for them during a dark and difficult time.” says Sacks.
Joey Poon, right, among nearly 100 volunteers, including members of the Calgary Roughnecks and students from Western Canada Interact Club, help Na’amat Canada Calgary fill backpacks with pencils, paper, scissors and other school supplies.
Calgary Roughnecks Kaleb Toth, from left, Alex Coutts, Bruce Coob and Mitch Rielshaw pitch in to help Na’amat Canada Calgary.