The ABCares Operation Backpack team who worked
during the August 16 backpack pre-school rally in Wilmington.
ABC Delaware members under the ABCares Public Service Committee flag participated again this year in Operation Backpack, part of the Sunday Breakfast Mission's outreach program.
"Thank you to all the companies who donated supplies and to the members who participate in the backpack fair on August 16," said ABCares Chairwoman Sallie Ann Conner. "This year, the ABC team was responsible for registering all the families who attended so each child received the age appropriate backpack and school supplies. All the volunteers had a good day and it is truly amazing to see how appreciative families are when receiving these school supplies."
During the month of August, ABC members contributed school supplies. In the beginning of August, those supplies were delivered to the Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington, where the backpacks were assembled. Then on August 16, families are invited to a pre-school rally where each child took home his/her backpack for the beginning of the school.
"With the state of the economy this year, we saw a huge increase in the number of families participating," said Conner. "We all were amazed at how things flowed and how each child left with a smile on his/her face to be ready for school this year. It is a very gratifying experience for me and members of ABCares."
The ABCares Committee met in September to finalize plans for the October 4 event at the Ronald McDonald House and the Salvation Army bell ringing during the holiday season.
"We also be discussed plans for 2009, so if any members have any ideas of organizations we can assist, please contact Jean at the ABC office," said Conner.
Members with suggestions for the committee are invited to contact Jean Toman at (302) 328-1111 or via e-mail,
jtoman@abcdelaware.com.
More than 30 ABC Delaware members and family volunteers helped the ABCares spring project at Exception Care for Children in Newark on May 10. The day included the demolition of a unsafe gazebo as well as clearing a wooded are being developed into a picnic ground with benches and seating for patients and their families. Volunteers spent 6 hours chopping and hauling the debris to a mulch pit. Grounds and maintenance staff is limited at Exception Care. The project completed in less than a day by ABCares would have taken the staff more than a month.
The ABCares Committee will meet in the coming month to discuss other projects for the remainder of the year.
"I just want to thank all the members and their families who turned out to help us," said ABCares Chair Sallie Ann Conner. "Because of the inches of rain we got the day before out visit, it was very muddy, but everyone just pitched right in. Thanks to Carmel Anerino of Wohlsen for suppling us with our mid-morning break and special thanks to Tri-Supply & Equipment for the equipment to take down the gazebo in record time."
"I just wanted to extend our thanks to you and your organization for the volunteer event ABC initiated," said Chelsea Todd, Public Relations and Personnel Manager forExceptional Care for Children. "Each member of your group was friendly and helpful, and it was great having their friends and family members here as well. Everyone was so hard-working and enthusiastic! I can’t express how fantastic it was to have a group here who seemed just as excited to help us as we were to have their help. The end result of the project far exceeded our expectations for one day."
ABC Delaware members pitched in to help with Operation Gratitude, part of an ABC National ABCares campaign sponsored by national member Volvo Rents. With thousands of American troops deployed all over the world, Operation Gratitude's goal is to lift troops' morale and bring a smile to their faces by sending care packages to them around the Memorial Day holiday.
"Thanks to all those who contributed," said Conner. "We loaded a 14 foot truck with more than 125 bags and boxes of requested items. Special thanks to Enterprize Fleet Management for donating the truck to take the items to a Vovlo distribution center in Langehorn, PA, and ABC Board Member Doug Johnston of Bruce Industrial for supplying a truck driver for the delivery on May 22."
The final ABCares Holiday project for 2007 was bell ringing for Salvation Army at Christiana Mall. ABC Delaware members helped the Salvation Army's Bell Ringing Holiday service project on December 8, 2007 by hosting a position at Christana Mall in front of Macy's.
"It was cold, but it was fun," said ABCares Chairwoman Sallie Ann Conner. "My thanks to all the members who helped with this ABCares project. It was very successful again this year.”
