11th Annual Brett’s Book Bag Stuffing
Volunteers gathered Sunday evening, July 27th, in the Condit Presbyterian Church for the Annual Brett’s Book Bag Stuffing. Their mission was to put requested school supplies in book bags for Big Walnut Friends Who Share to distribute to children in need in the community.
Volunteers gathering on the patio for fellowship
Kees giving last minute instructions
Condit’s Kathy Kees coordinates the collecting and stuffing of the book bags. This year 14 churches and Curves have collected school supplies and money for the book bags which were purchased at cost through Kathy’s sister, Connie Jacob who owns The Learning Express Stores in New Albany and Worthington. “This allows us to provide not only the supplies each teacher requested but a good backpack as well,” noted Kees.
From its early years Big Walnut Friends Who Share has provided school supplies for families in the school district who are having a difficult time. Following the death of their son Brett in 2004, Mark and Gloria Stelzer started The Brett Stelzer Book Bag Project which is now in its 11th year. Kees has been associated with the mission for 15 years.
Anyone wishing to help stuff the book bags is welcome. Volunteers are recruited through churches, The Sunbury News, and word of mouth from friends who have helped in the past. Children to great grandparents give their time to be sure all children start school with the needed supplies. “One year we did it in the Sanctuary and used the pews for tables,” remembers Kees.
55 volunteers pick up back packs and a list of school supplies for a student
Getting the right supplies in each bag takes concentration
Kathy Kees and Rev. John Zuercher collect the filled back packs
Volunteers return to the start of the line to fill another back pack
In less than an hour the volunteers had filled 143 bags. More volunteers will deliver the book bags to Big Walnut Friends Who Share for distribution to the children before school starts.
The whole experience of all the groups working together to complete this mission makes our community a better place to live.
“Please extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of Condit for their continued support with this and other BWFWS projects each year,” commented Kees in closing.
