Preparing kids for the new school year with new gear

Decatur, Ill. (WAND) - The Decatur Family YMCA is preparing kids to head back to school. The annual backpack attack event was today, making an impact on families in Macon County. The goal of the event is to provide local students with the tools they need to start the year on a path to success.

Danielle Diskey, the Director of Development and Marketing, says, "It's important for students to be prepared on day one. You really set the stage for the rest of the year."

This year several sponsors and local organizations came together to make the event bigger and better than ever before. Due to these partnerships the event was able to expand to several locations around Macon County and they were able to give out more backpacks and supplies.

"This event really is a community collaboration. So, from our sponsors which include ADM, Ameren Illinois, PNC Bank, Hickory Point Bank to our partners, the locations themselves Old Kings Orchard, Boys and Girls Club, to organizations that help us run the site. So, we're fortunate to partner with Chicho, the Junior Welfare Assocation, and Walk it like we talk it."

In total there were four different locations to pick up backpacks: The Decatur Family YMCA, Old King's Orchard Community Center, The Decatur Boys and Girls Club, and John's Hill Magnet School. Across all four locations organizers and volunteers were able to construct and distribute 2,000 backpacks that were ready to head to school with their new owners.

"The bags include a lot of school supplies this year. we've got notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, rulers, erasers, glue, basically your standard school supply kit."

Organizer's big goal for the event was to make an impact on families in the community a kids get ready to head back to school.

"It's a need that we're trying to fill and trying to just lighten the load of back to school, not just the financial burden, but the planning and life change. It can be really impactful for families, so our hope is that this event can help alleviate some of that stress."

The event has been preparing students and their families for their first day back in the classroom for over a decade, but this year they were able to hand out more bags and supplies than ever before. Organizers hope to continue growing the event in the future to reach more families in the community.