O&R Gives $10,000 to School Supplies Program For Needy Kids

PEARL RIVER NY August 19, 2009 — Orange & Rockland Utilities has contributed a $10,000 grant to Help From People to People's Back to School with Dignity program, marking the eighth year that O&R has helped to send Rockland County's most vulnerable children back to school ready to succeed. O&R has donated more than $50,000 to this program since 2001.

Tom Brizzolara, O&R's Director of Public Affairs, said "For hundreds of Rockland County children whose families are going through hard times, going back to school can be difficult. While these students may be financially disadvantaged, we must make sure they do not feel lost or forgotten or humiliated because of their circumstances."

Since 1994, People to People's Back to School with Dignity program has sent thousands of Rockland children back to school with the tools they need to succeed. Over the past twelve years, the number of children benefiting from Back to School with Dignity has grown from 35 in 1994 to 2,277 in 2008.

"We anticipate distributing more than 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies this year," said Diane Serratore, Executive Director of People to People. "The number of families coming to us for food has increased and we know that the children in these families also will need school supplies."

The average cost of a backpack filled with school supplies ranges from $35 for a kindergarten to $150 for high school. Supplies include: calculators, binders, folders, notebooks, compasses, graph paper, pens, pencils, glue sticks, markers and more. Back to School with Dignity will provide supplies to People to People clients through September 10, 2009.

People to People is a non-profit organization that has been serving Rockland County residents since its founding in 1973. Its mission is simple: to help our neighbors through difficult times with dignity. People to People's work is volunteer-driven and responsive in nature with nearly 90 percent of funds raised going directly to program services.

To make a donation, please write a check payable to People to People, Inc., and mail it to 121 West Nyack Road, Nanuet., N.Y. 10954, ATT: Diane Serratore, 845-623-4900. Please note on the check that your contribution is for the Back to School With Dignity program. Your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law. Please check with your tax advisor.

You can also shop for school supplies (see list above) for Back to School With Dignity and drop off your donation at:

Help From People to People, Inc.
121 W. Nyack Road
Nanuet, NY 10954

Between 9 am and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays.