DiMaso distributes sackpacks to Freehold Learning Center students

Monmouth County Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso distributed sackpacks filled with school supplies to students of the Freehold Learning Center earlier today. The colorful sackpacks and the school supplies were donated by the Office Depot Foundation as part of their 2016 National Backpack Program in partnership with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL).

“It is essential to make sure that all children have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom,” said DiMaso. “I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with the Office Depot Foundation to present these sackpacks to deserving students. As the NFWL Education Team Leader in New Jersey, I commend the Office Depot Foundation on its efforts to help provide dignity and hope to so many wonderful children.”

By the end of this year, Office Depot and the Office Depot Foundation will have helped more than 4 million children since the National Backpack Program began in 2001.  This is the 11th year of the partnership with NFWL and the 16^th year of the National Backpack Program.  This year, the Office Depot Foundation will provide the National Foundation for Women Legislators with sackpacks for distribution by women elected officials in approximately 25 states.

The Office Depot Foundation will also donate sackpacks to children in collaboration with the AARP Experience Corps, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (CASA), Feed the Children, Food For The Poor, the Kids In Need Foundation, Operation Homefront and Samaritan’s Feet International. These organizations focus on education, domestic abuse, natural disaster relief and other vital issues and will assist in distributing sackpacks to children across the country and internationally.

“These students are so eager to learn and were so excited to receive these sackpacks. They immediately opened them and could not wait to use all of their new supplies. It was really great to see their enthusiasm and be able to contribute in a small, but meaningful way,” said DiMaso.

Freeholder DiMaso also gave the children a quick lesson on mosquitoes as part of the County’s Fight the Bite initiative.  DiMaso serves as liaison to the Mosquito Control Division and brought the children special coloring books that were fun and informative.

“Mosquito bites were something all the kids could relate to and I enjoyed taking the time to include a fun learning experience” said DiMaso.