Britepaths collects school supplies for kids in need

The nonprofit organization Britepaths is seeking donations of funds, backpacks, and calculators through Aug. 16 to help 2,500 local students in need.

Britepaths is partnering with Fairfax County’s Collect for Kids initiative to assist as many students in need as possible.

There are 56,000 students eligible for free or reduced-price meals in Fairfax County public schools.

School supplies will be distributed to students at Britepaths’ 18 partner schools, including Poe Middle School in Annandale, Justice High School, and these schools in the Justice pyramid: Bailey’s Elementary School, Bailey’s Upper ES, Beech Tree ES, Belvedere ES, Glen Forest ES, Parklawn ES, Sleepy Hollow ES, and Glasgow Middle School.

Britepaths’ program sponsor, the Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads, helps fund and deliver supplies to Bailey’s, Glasgow, and Justice.

Funds collected will be used to purchase supplies at a bulk discount. Britepaths needs to collect $37,500 in cash and more than 1,000 backpacks to meet its partner schools’ needs.

Community members interested in helping can donate through Britepaths’ secure online donation page or mail a check to the organization at 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, Va. 22030. Write “BTS” in the memo line.

Donations of new backpacks and scientific calculators are also welcome. They can be brought to Britepaths’ offices, Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or to the donation boxes listed on
Britepaths’ website. Drop-off locations close to the Annandale area include the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia and Cinema Arts Theatre.

Backpacks may also be ordered and shipped directly to Britepaths through “wish lists” on Amazon  and DollarDays. For more information on donating or sponsoring the program, contact Joanne Walton at 703-273-8829 or [email protected].

The Collect for Kids partnership, along with an agreement with Herndon-based Campus Survival Kits, allows Britepaths to get special deals for bulk purchases. A set of supplies that would normally cost $40 per student can be obtained by Britepaths for $10 or $15.

“We hope the community will respond generously to ensure that children whose families are in crisis are able to start the new school year with dignity and all the tools they need to succeed,” says Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel.