08/02/2023
**Help Us Make a Difference in Our Community - Donate to Support the 29th Annual Backpack Program**
Dear Potential Sponsors
We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request to support the Cedar Valley Jaycees' 29th Annual Backpack Program, which aims to provide back-to-school supplies and backpacks to the children in the Waterloo, Iowa community. Our organization is driven by a small group of dedicated adults who are committed to giving back to the kids in our community.
*About Us**
The Cedar Valley Jaycees is a non-profit organization with a long-standing tradition of community service. For nearly three decades, we have been actively engaged in various initiatives to uplift the lives of children in the Waterloo area. Our mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals by providing them with essential resources and opportunities to thrive academically and emotionally.
**The Backpack Program**
The Backpack Program has been a cornerstone of joint efforts for 29 years, and it has proven to be a crucial lifeline for many families in our community. Last year, thanks to the generous support of donors like you, we were able to achieve our goal of distributing 1,400 backpacks filled with school supplies. However, we are still facing a pressing need this year to increase the number of backpacks due to the astonishing amount of families who were not served last year.
The Back-to-School project was founded by Larry and Ruth Orth, who organized the event for 25 years up until 2019, and still enjoy helping with the project. After careful and calculated consideration, in 2019, the Cedar Valley Jaycees Board of Directors voted to take over leadership of the project and continue the work that its predecessors have started with the intention of continuing to grow the project and help as many area students as possible!
Over the years, the Back-to-School project has served 61,397 students, including those who served multiple years. The project provides all the items on school supply lists — pencils, glue sticks, notebooks and much more — for underprivileged elementary students in the Cedar Valley. The Backpack Program attempts to lessen some of that burden and provide the students with the supplies and confidence they need when entering the new school year.
**Why Your Support Matters**
While we are proud of our achievements, we still see many families in need of assistance. Our goal is to provide each child with high-quality supplies and backpacks, ensuring that they have the same opportunities as their peers. The lack of proper school supplies can have a detrimental impact on a child's self-esteem and academic performance. By contributing to our cause, you can help level the playing field for these young learners and give them the confidence they need to succeed.
**Our Other Initiatives**
In addition to the Backpack Program, we organize an annual event called "Gift of Giving" during the holiday season. This event teaches kids the importance of giving back to the community by taking 100 elementary students shopping for gifts to surprise their families. The children also enjoy a delicious breakfast and receive toys as a gesture of appreciation for their kindness.
Furthermore, we are dedicated to promoting literacy among children in our community. Through book donations and classroom reading sessions in Waterloo elementary schools, we strive to instill a love for learning and reading in young minds.
**How You Can Help**
Your contribution, no matter the size, can make a significant difference in the lives of these children. Here are a few ways you can help us achieve our goal:
**Monetary Donations**: Every dollar counts and will be put towards purchasing school supplies and backpacks for the children.
**Sponsor a Backpack**: You can directly sponsor one or more backpacks to ensure a child receives the supplies they need.
**Spread the Word**: Share our cause with friends, family, and colleagues who might be interested in supporting our efforts.
**How to Donate**
Donors can make their tax-deductible donation to:
“Cedar Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund”
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa:
3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls IA
Memo: Back to School Project
https://www.cfneia.org/giving/give-today?fund=655
**Thank You**
We sincerely appreciate your consideration in supporting our 29th Annual Backpack Program. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these children, ensuring they have the tools they need to excel in their education and beyond. Your generosity will create a ripple effect of positive change throughout our community.
Thank you for being a part of our mission to make a difference in the lives of the children in the Waterloo, Iowa community.
Warmest Regards,
Abby Webb
President
Cedar Valley Jaycees
