RISMEDIA, June 18, 2012–Children placed in foster care or in a shelter often lose everything they once called their own – their home, possessions, friends, even siblings. This summer, Prudential California Realty is conducting its Backpack Challenge to help ease these difficult transitions and provide foster children and teens with school supplies, personal belongings and a sense of security and ownership.
The public’s help is needed to fill backpacks with age-appropriate personal items and school supplies, which will be given to Olive Crest and Aspiranet locations in Orange County and the Inland Empire. Donations can be dropped off through Friday, August 10th at Prudential Realty offices in Anaheim Hills, Brea, Corona, Fullerton, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside and Yorba Linda. Please visit www.prudentialcaliforniarealty.com for office addresses.
“We are grateful to Prudential for their generous support of foster children and teens,” said Vernon Brown, CEO of Aspiranet. “Children who have the necessary personal and school supplies achieve greater success at home, in the classroom and in life.”
Last year, Prudential donated over 300 backpacks to children in need. The company’s goal this year is to raise over 500. “We are excited to once again take part in the Backpack Challenge for great organizations like Aspiranet and Olive Crest. We look forward to coming together as a company and as a community to help children in need,” said Rich Cosner, owner of Prudential California Realty.
Items needed for infants and toddlers include educational toys and games, diaper bags, diapers, lightweight blankets, baby care products, disposable cameras and photo albums. For children in the 5 to 17 age group, appropriate donations include school supplies, socks, personal hygiene and care items, pajamas or sleepwear, disposable cameras, photo albums and gift items such as gift cards, books or small toys. Items are also needed as well for youth 18 and over who are aging out of the foster care system and transitioning into life on their own or at college, which include personal hygiene items, cosmetic or toiletry bags, sleeping bags, first-aid kits, sleepwear, socks and gift cards to grocery and pharmacy stores or home furnishing stores.
For more information on the 2012 Backpack Challenge, please contact Prudential California Realty at (714) 279-3860.
