Redmond resident provides 140 stuffed backpacks to help local students
Mid Oregon Credit Union kicked off our annual Supplies4Schools drive in a spectacular way: A record donation from a one member who dropped off more than 140 backpacks stuffed with school supplies at our Redmond branch.
“I am always amazed at the generosity of the people in this community,” said Mid Oregon Vice President of Marketing, Kyle Frick. “Every year our members surprise us with their commitment to helping children get a successful start at school.”
Passion for Kids Formed as School Employee
Our donor, Vikki Olds of Redmond, says that she spent most of the year purchasing school supplies and assembling the backpacks. Her husband Andre and son-in-law Cameron helped load a trailer with the backpacks for delivery to our Redmond branch on 17th Place, near Bi-Mart. Olds says that she began this project after years as a bus driver in La Pine, Ore.
“I would see kids without coats or socks or warm clothes,” she said. “I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. I felt bad to think of these kids not having what they needed for school. This is my way of tithing for the year.”
Although Olds shops the sales and finds good prices on all the supplies she purchases, she says she still spends a few thousand dollars on the effort. She fills high-quality backpacks for elementary and high school students with supplies that include a three-ring binder and paper, pens and pencils, zipper pouches, standard or scientific calculators, hygiene items, and other tools.
Can Others Step Up, Too?
Olds challenged other Central Oregon residents to match her donations in the nearby communities including Prineville, Madras, Sisters, and Bend.
“I know there are people out there who have the ability to give more,” she said.
The Supplies4Schools fundraiser and supply drive is underway during the month of August at all seven Mid Oregon Credit Union locations. All donations of cash and supplies stay in the community where they are collected. In most communities, Mid Oregon partners with the Family Access Network (FAN) to distribute the supplies to students through the in-school FAN Advocates. In Jefferson county, we distribute directly to the school districts.
Donations of Money Are Appreciated
It’s not too late to purchase school supplies for this effort! However, cash donations are appreciated, and no donation is too small. A lot of $5 and $10 donations add up to a significant amount of needed backpacks, ear-buds, binders and rulers!
Visit our branches, call us at (541) 382-1795 or go online to our Supplies4Schools post for more details.
