This summer, Coast Guard Headquarters partnered with Department of Homeland Security and General Services Administration personnel on the historic St. Elizabeths campus to donate backpacks and school supplies for kindergarten through fifth grade students in several Washington, D.C., communities.
The results of the 2018 Back-to-School Backpack Drive were amazing with 323 backpacks filled with the necessary school supplies to help students start the school year off right. Additionally, 52 volunteers helped prepare and deliver the backpacks to the local community.
“Programs like the Back-to-School Backpack Drive highlight the Coast Guard’s values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty,” said Rear Adm. Tony Vogt, Assistant Commandant for Response and executive sponsor for the drive. “At our core, we are an organization that cares for and serves people. Once again, we demonstrated who we truly are and what matters most to us.”
“The generosity of our Coast Guard family makes organizing charity events fun and rewarding,” said Barbara Whitelaw, who serves on the Backpack Drive leadership team. “The smiles and gratitude from the families we serve with these projects make our efforts worthwhile. Together, we make a difference in our local D.C. neighborhoods!”
Coast Guard Headquarters has a positive history of engaging the surrounding community. One important partnership has been with the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Office, who provides affordable housing to low-income residents. Coast Guard Headquarters also partners with DCHA during the holidays for the Adopt-a-Teen Gift Bag Drive.
