At just 14 years old, Ava Burke of Brewer is helping hundreds of local students start the school year with confidence. With the support of her family, friends, civic groups and local businesses, Burke collected more than 600 backpacks for Penquis’s “We’ve Got Your Back” campaign, her largest contribution yet.
The campaign, now in its 10th year, provides new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies for students across Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties. This year, Penquis expects to serve more than 1,200 children through the effort.
As Burke’s impact has grown, so has the need for more space to hold the hundreds of backpacks she collects. For the second year in a row, Showcase Self Storage in Brewer generously donated space to house the donations leading up to the delivery. On Monday, Aug. 11, Burke will transport the backpacks from Brewer to Penquis’ Bangor office, helping ensure students across the region are equipped and ready for the school year ahead.
Even with this remarkable effort, more than 200 children remain on the campaign’s waiting list. Donations of new backpacks and school supplies are still needed and can be dropped off at any Penquis office. Contributions can also be made online at www.penquis.org.
Burke’s collection is part of a much larger community effort. Every backpack donated by a business, civic group or caring neighbors helps ensure more children walk into school feeling ready and supported.