Amazon Donates More Than $5,000 in Backpacks to ECC's Project Backpack Initiative

Elgin Community College (ECC) received a special delivery from Amazon on Wednesday, July 16, as the company donated more than $5,000 worth of backpacks in support of Project Backpack, ECC’s annual back-to-school initiative. This marked the first time in the college’s history that Amazon contributed to the program.

Project Backpack provides fully stocked backpacks to eligible students in the community and includes a resource fair to help families prepare for the upcoming school year. The donation included more than 1,500 backpacks, packaged in 60 boxes, which were unloaded and sorted by Project Backpack volunteers on campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Ill.

“Amazon is proud to support Project Backpack, led by Elgin Community College, to ensure that students have the materials they need to succeed in the classroom this school year,” said Sarah Glavin, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon. “We know that Elgin Community College brings together parents and teachers across the region to open doors to help our students and families succeed, and we are glad to help them deliver smiles with this donation.” 

ECC President Peggy Heinrich, EdD, joined State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) in welcoming Amazon representatives and expressing appreciation for their contribution.

“We have all of these fabulous backpacks to help a lot of kids who are in need during some tough economic times,” Castro said. “I want to give a big thank you to Amazon for their corporate partnership and giving back to the community.”

Castro helped orchestrate the in-kind donation when an Amazon representative asked her if she knew of any back-to-school initiatives the company could donate to. She connected Amazon to ECC’s Student Life Office, which organizes Project Backpack.

When asked how initiatives like Project Backpack reflect her priorities for education and equity in her district, Castro pointed to her own upbringing as a powerful influence.

As a first-generation college student who began her educational journey at ECC because of the affordability, Castro emphasized the importance of education, something her parents instilled in her at a young age. 

"They worked in the fields, and when they were old enough, they took on factory jobs,” she said. “They believed in the power of education as a way out of poverty and a path to the American dream. They gave back to their community, but they didn’t want us to go through what they went through."

Castro said that Project Backpack is a way to remove barriers for families facing financial hardship.

“I think this is a great opportunity to not only give back to the community, but also help during these trying times,” she said. 

This year’s Project Backpack event is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Building J, 1700 Spartan Drive. In addition to distributing free backpacks filled with school supplies to eligible students, this year’s event will offer on-site physical and dental clinics to help families meet essential health requirements for the school year. These services, including school and sports physicals and dental exams, will be provided by licensed professionals at no cost to families on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Project Backpack is a powerful example of what our community can accomplish when we come together,” said Gema Atta, student life coordinator at Elgin Community College. “With your help, we can ensure hundreds of students walk into the new school year with confidence and the supplies they need to thrive.”

To sign up as a donor, volunteer, or agency partner, visit project-backpack.elgin.edu. For questions, contact Gema Atta at geatta@elgin.edu.

About Project Backpack
Project Backpack is a collaborative effort between Elgin Community College and numerous community partners to support local students and families. Since its inception, the initiative has provided thousands of children with backpacks, school supplies, and access to vital community resources.

Eligibility
Project Backpack provides school supplies to those in need enrolled in the current fall semester at Elgin Community College (District 509) or school districts U-46, D300, D301, D303, or D20 or reside therein.