PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Central Florida USO eased the financial burden some military families face when sending their kids back to school with their “Rucksacks to Backpacks” program which provided essential school supplies to children of wing members here this week.
USO volunteers hosted the backpack program by partnering with the 920th Rescue Wing Airman & Family Readiness Center. The volunteers packed backpacks with markers, crayons, folders, pens, pencils, glue sticks, composition books and more.
The USO's website states that it will provide over 50,000 notebooks, pencils and other back to school items to more than 1,800 military kids across Central Florida this year.
“The kids have been thrilled to get these backpacks,” said Kelly Linfert, 920th RQW A&FR director. “This program is extremely beneficial for our Reserve families, especially those who have been affected financially by COVID-19.”
The USO is a nonprofit, charitable corporation chartered by Congress that relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its programs.
“We provided over 100 backpacks this year,” Linfert said. “In fact, we have around 30 extra ones for people who may not have signed up in time. All they need to do is stop by the office or give me a call.”
The 920 RQW members who are interested in a backpack can contact the 920 RQW Airman & Family Readiness Center.