2,000 STUFFED BACKPACKS TO BE DELIVERED TO CHILDREN WHO ARE HOMELESS IN SPRINGFIELD, CHICOPEE, HOLYOKE, WEST SPRINGFIELD AND WESTFIELD

United Way of Pioneer Valley and Peter Pan Bus Lines Stuff the Bus Campaign Meets Goal

PIONEER VALLEY, Mass., August 19, 2011 – Homeless children and children displaced by the June 1 tornadoes will head back to school this fall with a brand new backpack stuffed with school supplies as a result of the Stuff the Bus drive, organized by United Way of Pioneer Valley and Peter Pan Bus Lines.

The fully stuffed backpacks will be distributed to children through McKinney-Vento coordinators within the Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, West Springfield and Westfield school districts.  These coordinators, established through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, work directly with homeless children within each school district and serve as liaisons between the children and their families and the school district and community to assist them in receiving needed services.

PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Additional photo and interview opportunities can be scheduled on request by calling Debra Foley at (413) 693-0234.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 – Holyoke and Chicopee
Peter Pan Bus Lines and United Way of Pioneer Valley staff and volunteers will deliver the backpacks to various agencies that serve homeless children.

• Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 10 a.m.
• Chicopee School Department, Helen A. O’Connell Administration Building, 180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020 11:30 a.m.
• Chicopee High School Hockey Team will assist in delivering backpacks

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 – West Springfield and Westfield
Peter Pan Bus Lines and United Way of Pioneer Valley staff and volunteers will deliver the backpacks to various agencies that serve homeless children.

• West Springfield School Department, 26 Central Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 10:30 a.m.
• Westfield Schools Superintendent’s Office, 22 Ashley Street, Westfield at 11:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 – Springfield
Peter Pan Bus Lines and United Way of Pioneer Valley staff and volunteers will deliver the backpacks to various agencies that serve homeless children.

• Springfield Parent Information Center, 55 Mulberry Street, Spfld., MA  10:00 a.m.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF PIONEER VALLEY
United Way of Pioneer Valley mobilizes people and resources to strengthen our communities.  UWPV targets the community’s most pressing needs and focuses resources, community partnerships and the energy of volunteers to create measurable results.  To invest, volunteer or for more information, call United Way of Pioneer Valley at (413) 737-2691 or visit www.uwpv.org

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