This August the Mariposa Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women)’s 8th annual backpack project, led by co-chairs Cathy Owens and Anita Starchman Bryant, plans to provide 46 fully stocked backpacks to Mariposa County seventh and eighth grade students who need assistance. Community members wishing to contribute to this worthy project may make monetary donations online at: mariposa-ca.aauw.net/community-projects/backpack-project. For more information contact Cathy Owens at: owens@sti.net.This project is a labor of love to ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed in school. Since 2008, the Mariposa Branch of AAUW has donated nearly 300 fully stocked backpacks to students attending public schools in our district. The packs are loaded with the essential tools for success recommended by their teachers such as notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, and binder paper. For the 2016 school year, the Mariposa Branch of AAUW plans to prepare 46 backpacks, each costing approximately $65 for the pack and supplies.
Recipients of the backpacks and school supplies are determined by school principals, counselors and teachers with the children and their families’ privacy maintained. AAUW volunteers donate many of the items and some are purchased by the AAUW organization prior to the start of the new school year. “Fill day” brings volunteers together to assemble the backpacks.
Distributing backpacks is just one of several school and community programs offered by AAUW’s Mariposa branch to encourage learning. Founded in 1881, AAUW is a national organization dedicated to advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. The Mariposa branch has over 100 members who work and play together to support educational projects such as Tech Trek, a weeklong science camp for girls, Speech Trek, a thought-provoking speech contest and Dinner with a Scientist, an evening at UC Merced for girls interested in scientific careers. To learn more, visit: aauwmariposa.com.
