It’s time for the 2023 Arizona Builders Alliance Annual Backpack Drive! Initiatives like this continue to make the ABA a shining light in the community. For years, as the Arizona Builders Alliance delivers these backpacks, the young recipients remember who the ABA is, and they are incredibly appreciative of what the ABA members and events do for them.
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Several years ago, the ABA Community Service Board found a local wholesaler that gives them discount pricing on items such as 25 backpacks for $150 dollars including shipping. This is only $6 dollars per backpack! In addition to backpacks, the Arizona Builders Alliance purchases and provide ALL the school supplies needed for the year for each child. The ABA continues to order from this local Arizona company because of the bulk pricing, and as a result, they’re able to provide a backpack for every child. It has worked better than the Arizona Builders Alliance could have imagined, and so they’re at it again.
“I’ve been working with ABA members and we are striving to get enough donations to place another order for this year’s drive, as there’s a minimum for the low pricing,” says Carol Hagen, on behalf of the Arizona Builders Alliance Community Service Board. “The more bags we order, the less expensive they are per unit.”
This year ABA’s donations will be supporting FOUR noble institutions:
RISE Services: A nonprofit organization that specializes in foster care services for children ages 0-18 years old. The children coming into care with RISE Services are those who’ve had a rough beginning through abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, drug exposure, and violence. The children coming into care have been victims of abuse, neglect, drug exposure, and / or violence.
Children First Academy: A school for over 250 children grades K-6 in Arizona, 100% who are at or below the poverty level and many of whom are homeless.
Arizona Baptist Children’s Services Tucson: Arizona Baptist Children’s Services (ABCS) serves at-risk families across Arizona by meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The backpack drive will benefit children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and are currently placed with foster families. Children in these situations often leave their personal belongings behind and these backpacks and supplies will provide them with the basics they need as they transition to a new family and often a new school.
You may easily donate on line by clicking on this link: https://eventinterface.com/2023-backpack-drive-donations/
Donations in the form of check, cash, or credit card are accepted. You can contact Patricia Rush at the ABA office to use a credit card. She can be reached at 602-274-8222 ext. 237 or by e-mail: prush@azbuilders.org
Checks can be sent directly to the ABA office, made out to the Arizona Builders Alliance and write “2023 Backpack Drive” in the subject line.
