Warwick charity to host annual backpack and resource drive ahead of school year

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — With the first day of school just around the corner, parents are working to make sure their kids have everything they need.

For the third year, The Arc Rhode Island and the ImPossible Dream are coming together to give out school supplies and backpacks to around 250 kids.

Every year the program grows, with different items taking the spotlight year after year.

“The most popular things that the kids really enjoy are the fidget toys. Those are so essential for children that have attention issues, and they need to be able to have that to focus. We’re also looking for this year for noise canceling headphones. That’s something that’s super important for children who are very sensitive to certain situations,” said Kimberly Hedenberg, the Communications and Public Awareness Specialist at The Arc Rhode Island.

While the focus is on the kids, Hedenberg said the biggest change this year is actually for the parents, adding a resource fair into the mix, with around a dozen community resources being made available.

“One of the biggest things we hear at the arc from the parents is the struggle that they have making time for themselves to conduct self-care. Self-care is something that is so important in this because if you can’t care for yourself how can you care for your child? So one of our resources this year is also going to be a service that provides nannies and babysitting,” she said.

The Arc Rhode Island and the ImPossible Dream have worked together on this initiative every year, with staff highlighting just how important this is as students get ready for another school year.

“If you could be here when it’s happening and they unzip the backpack and, ‘look what I got, look what I got!’ it’s almost like Christmas. You know they’re so surprised at what’s in their backpack. And it’s wonderful, and what’s better than making children happy?” said Executive Director of the ImPossible Dream, Diane Penza.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. on August 21 in Warwick, and Hedenberg said at this point, the donations they need most are monetary.

To register, visit the website here.