Housing staff gives to kids

by Jamie Mahoney
Staff Writer

Underprivileged children in San Bernardino County will be going back to school with new supplies and backpacks provided by a donation drive organized by University of La Verne students and housing staff.

The program, Jumpstart Backpacks, was part of a philanthropic project put on by the residential assistants and program assistants.

Jumpstart began Feb. 4 following a Southern Resident Advisor Programs conference designed for PA’s and RA’s to create meaningful programs for university residents.

The last backpacks were collected on Feb. 21.

“The supplies get the kids to be excited to start school,” said Melissa Stearns, a PA in Stu-Han.

ULV worked in collaboration with several other schools, including the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Chapman University, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State San Bernardino.

“In comparison to other schools we had a good amount,” said Eugene Shang, assistant director of leadership programs and housing.

Although there was no official total on the number of backpacks collected through the drive, it was a successful program, he said.

“The community here at the school is what made the program so successful,” he said.

“It’s good to know that the students and faculty are behind us in our efforts to support the community,” said Rosa Arcadia, a RA in the Oaks.