Helping welcome students back to school

With help from local businesses and committed donors, including C.D. Smith, Back to School FDL delivered needed school supplies to over 1,000 local children, that's roughly 300 more than last year!

To prepare these supplies safely and effectively, volunteers helped pack and distribute supplies to the children. "The Pack it Up! Event was well-thought-out and made for an enriching day," Elizabeth Thome, Executive Assistant at C.D. Smith, shared after volunteering at the event.

"The school supplies were organized according to the supply list. As a volunteer shopper, I received a list of needed supplies, specific to each student, and proceeded to 'shop' around the Boys and Girls Club gymnasium. We took breaks to load up the Salvation Army truck with the bagged supplies. The truck would then deliver the bags to the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds to be organized by the students' last names," Elizabeth explained.

This year was different than other years due to COVID-19. In previous years, the students were able to shop alongside volunteer shoppers. Although they weren't able to that, they could select their backpack from within their vehicle at the drive-through distribution event that was held on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Saturday morning, families arrive at the fairgrounds and drove thru the Expo Building to pick up their backpack and pre-packed supplies.

"On a few occasions during The Pack it Up! Event, I had to fight back tears because I was so grateful to be making a difference while representing C.D. Smith!" Elizabeth smiled while sharing her experience. "I'm proud to work for an organization that believes so deeply in supporting local children! The Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac is truly a shining light in the Fond du Lac community."