The Backpack Program for 2019 is winding down.  Our deadline for donating backpacks is August 23.  It’s our 13^th year of supplying new backpacks and supplies to the many needy children within our area.

Who are we? The Cornell Elves Backpack Program began in the fall of 2007 with 284 backpacks donated to 12 schools.  Support has grown steadily over the past 12 years, and last year we donated 1224 new, filled backpacks to 27 schools!  This year, we are working with 28 area schools (please see list of schools and program contacts at the bottom of this email).  You can also check out our website for additional information about the Elves Programs:  http://elves.cornell.edu/

How does the program work? Children who receive these backpacks are entering kindergarten through sixth grade and are identified by the nurses/social workers at the schools represented by the program.  Our sponsors include Cornell employees, students, local families, neighbors, businesses, and organizations such as the Girl Scouts.

How can I help? It’s so easy to make the first day at school special for a local child! You can choose to donate to a particular school from the list at the bottom of this email, or bring the backpacks to my office where it will be donated to the schools who may still be in need.

- Buy a backpack & supplies: A new backpack and all of the supplies can be purchased for $20 - $25 once all of the back-to-school sales begin.  See the Supply List and enjoy shopping the sales!

- Donate supplies: Did your business buy too many pencils or notebooks this year? Have extra glue sticks? We’ll get them to classrooms where they’ll be used!

- Write a check: Don’t like to shop? No problem. Our elves know how to stretch a dollar and get what kids need most.  Any amount will make a difference to a needy local child! Checks can be made out to “The Elves” and sent to my attention at the address below. 

Are donations tax-deductible? Donations to the Backpack Program are not tax deductible because we are not a registered non-profit organization. There is significant expense and ongoing paperwork involved in becoming a nonprofit.  We are proud of the fact that we are simply concerned Cornell employees trying to support our communities. We have absolutely no overhead costs, and every penny donated goes directly to help children who are truly in need. 

What is the deadline to provide donations? In order that we can get the backpacks to the schools in time for the kids to pick them up before that first day, I ask that backpacks being dropped off at my office, be brought no later than August 23, 2019.  These backpacks will be shared with the schools who may not have received enough donations.  If you are donating directly to a school, please work with leader for that school to determine their deadline for donations.

Questions? Please let me know if you have ANY questions about the program or the process.

I want to thank the many people who have already donated or will be dropping off backpacks in the next few days.  You have no idea of the positive impact that new backpack makes for the children who receive them.

Many thanks,

Maureen

Maureen Brull, Sr. Consultant, Health & Welfare Benefit Programs, Cornell University, Division of Human Resources, Benefits Administration, 395 Pine Tree Road, EHOB, Suite 110, Ithaca, New York 14850, phone: 607-255-7509, fax: 607-255-6873, email:  mpb8@cornell.edu, www.hr.cornell.edu