GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK – Tri-County United Way has once again partnered with Nemer Motor Group and The Post-Star to launch the ‘Kids with Packs’ program, benefiting students within Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties. The ‘Kids With Packs’ program provides vital school supplies to thousands of students who begin the school year school with a new backpack, fresh school supplies, and other necessary resources needed for a successful academic year.
In this year’s collaborative effort, the program provided close to 500 fully stocked backpacks to 15 different regional partners and school districts within 3 counties. These distributions extended to communities spanning Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties.
“We take great pride in our collaboration with Nemer Motor Group and The Post Star, aiming to assist students across Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties,” expressed Tri-County United Way Executive Director, Kristin Chlopecki. “Our future lies in the hands of the next generation, making it imperative to establish a foundation for their success through educational support. By contributing school supplies, we are making an investment in their future.”
“Educators frequently dip into their personal finances to ensure their classrooms are well-equipped and to address their students’ requirements comprehensively. The ‘Kids With Packs’ program reduces the need for teachers to personally fund or supply classroom resources,” commented Robert Nemer, CEO of Nemer Motor Group. “Our collaboration with Tri-County United Way and The Post Star fills us with joy as we contribute to furnishing schools with the tools necessary for both the students and teachers’ success.”
Leading up to distribution of the school supplies, Laura Jensen, Community Engagement of Tri-County United Way, directly engaged with numerous local educators, superintendents, principals, representatives from Catholic Charities, and school officials to determine the challenges faced by an increasing number of households and communities. This direct engagement identified specific areas within the Tri-County region where there was the highest demand for the program and determined how to allocate resources effectively. As a result, the ‘Kids With Packs’ program took an extra step this year by furnishing more than 30 additional boxes of school supplies for various school districts that are situated within the scope of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations. ALICE households lack the necessary income to meet numerous fundamental necessities, including housing, childcare, and beyond. In the wake of the pandemic, the widespread closure of schools accompanied by the challenges of remote learning significantly impacted students and educational institutions.
“It is incredible to see the smiles and excitement on the children’s faces when they come to pick out their backpacks,” said Queensbury Union Free School District Elementary School Principal, Jessica Rosetti. “It truly gives our students a similar experience to what their peers have going into a store and picking out their new backpack for the school year. We thank all involved for supporting the ‘Kids With Packs’ program and our students. You are truly making a difference.”
This year, the combined organizations saw great success of numerous volunteers supporting the program on ‘Kids With Packs Assembly Day’ held at Nemer Ford in August. Tri-County United Way, along with Nemer Motor Group and The Post Star, extends their heartfelt appreciation to the program’s countless volunteers, including volunteers representing Hudson Headwaters, Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, SUNY Adirondack, and Adirondack Chamber of Commerce. The combined organizations also extends their gratitude to Irving Tissue for their generous donation of tissue boxes for each school district.
Kristin Chlopecki, Executive Director of the Tri-County United Way, thanks all involved for making this year’s ‘Kids With Packs’ program a success. This program would not be possible without the contributions from many honorable organizations including the Charles R Wood Foundation, Central New York Foundation, Target, Nemer Motor Group as well as the generous donations from Tri-County United Way’s many donors and supporters.
Media Contact:
Laura Jensen
Community Engagement Coordinator
Tri-County United Way
543 Glen Street
Glens Falls, New York 12801
