Joseph’s Heart’s 3rd Annual Backpack Drive together with Faith Fellowship Baptist Church’s Community Day in Vallejo, CA. We gave away 133 backpacks plus supplies to children grades K-12 and this also includes two college students. The children were also able to receive free books, haircuts, food, and fun. All books were donated by Solano County library and haircuts were provided by two barbers from Double Edge Barbershop in Vallejo, CA. Joseph’s Heart is very grateful to all the donations of backpacks, supplies, and individuals giving of their time.
On July 22, 2023, Joseph’s Heart had our 2nd Annual Backpack Drive in partnership with Faith Fellowship during their Community Day. Present during the Community Day was Double Edge Barbershop providing free haircuts to the community, Solano County Library signing up individuals for library cards, free ice cream sundaes, arts & crafts, and Morgan & Moore Non-Surgical Hair Replacement.
On the day of the backpack drive, we provided 106 backpacks and supplies to children. After the backpack drive, a post was placed on social media by one of our reoccurring parent recipients to inform the community that we still had backpacks and supplies remaining. From this post, we were contacted, and the remaining backpacks and supplies were given away; assisting 39 families which provided a total of 81 children with the backpacks and supplies needed. We also had to purchase a few more backpacks to meet the need.
There were a total of 187 backpacks plus supplies provided to students grades preschool to 12th grade in the Solano County Community. Of these children, we assisted three families (eight children) with school clothes, other personal needs, and gift cards for food. We also provided three backpacks and supplies plus school clothes for all three children in Alameda County. It gives us great joy and pleasure to be able to meet the needs of the community and ensure that children have what is needed to begin the school year.
Total backpacks (plus supplies) in Solano & Alameda Counties = 190
Total families assisted with school supplies:
All of the families were very appreciative of the support and assistance they received for the school year. We are also grateful to all of our donors for the assistance we received to ensure the Bay Area Communities received what was needed for the 2023-2023 school year. Thank you so much for your support!
Joseph’s Heart made the decision to assist families (children) and seniors for the holiday season. By doing so, we purchased blankets and socks for our seniors to help keep them warm during the cold winter months and for the families, we went out and purchased what we were able to for the children, youth, and teens after a form was provided to the parent(s) or guardian to complete, providing us with the want/need of their child(ren). After the items were purchased, they were given to the parent(s) so that they could wrap the gifts and present them to the children on Christmas morning as a gift from them (not from Joseph’s Heart).
A special thank you to Faith Fellowship Baptist Church (FFBC) in Vallejo, CA (Rev. David Bernstine, Pastor) for donating a new laptop which was given to a teenager in Alameda County soon to graduate from high school. This donation was very unexpected and very much appreciated. On behalf of Joseph’s Heart and the Director of Children & Family Services in Alameda County, we thank you very much.
Joseph’s Heart would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our donors who gave during this holiday season; none of this would have been possible without you. We are very grateful for all the monetary and physical gifts that you provided for the seniors as well as for the children. Because of you, someone will have a warmer night, toys to play with, or new clothes to wear, and for that we thank you!
The monetary and physical (blankets/socks/toys) donations you gave totaled $2, 479.16. We were able to take the monetary portion, along with the $1503.63 from our general donations and purchase toys, clothes, art and painting items, books (in English & Spanish), STEM items, puzzles, and sports items for children, youth, and teens. This would not have been possible without any of you; OUR DONORS. Because of you, there are children in the Bay Area that were able to open gifts for Christmas and seniors that have blankets and socks to keep them warm during this cold Winter Season. Once again, we thank you for all that you have done to support us this Christmas Season.
Below is a breakdown with the number of seniors and children we assisted and where they are demographically.
Seniors: 17
We also blessed one caregiver for the amazing work and love she shows her 99-year old mother living with dementia in Antioch, CA. We make sure that we advocate for caregivers as well.
Children: 24
Thank you to all that donated monetarily as well as donated backpacks and supplies. Our final total was 136 Backpacks, plus supplies.132 Donated Backpacks and supplies provided for children grades K-12. Four Donated Backpacks and supplies given to College Students. 18 backpacks were donated to Pinole Middle School – we’re very grateful to Mr. Tim Brown, Campus Safety Supervisor, for advocating for the students and ensuring they have what’s needed for learning.
