Members of the Kiwanis Club of Somerville and many of the PUMA volunteers.

For the third year, members of the Kiwanis Club of Somerville delivered over 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to middle and high school students who are most in need of assistance. The students who will receive these backpacks will be identified by the Somerville Parent Information Center and the administrators at Prospect Hill Academy. 

Over the past month, Kiwanis members have collected school supplies donated by local businesses, residents, supporters and members, including many supplies donated at two weekend donation events in front of Staples at Assembly Row.  We would like to give special thanks to Staples at Assembly Row, Middlesex Federal Bank, Winter Hill Bank, Naveo Credit Union and East Cambridge Savings bank for their partnership and allowing collection boxes at their sites. 

Our biggest thanks for the largest donation of 200 high-quality backpacks, was made by PUMA North America and their Joint Venture Partner United Legwear.  PUMA recently relocated their North American headquarters to Assembly Row and we were incredibly privileged this year to have them as partners in this effort.  In addition to the backpacks, eleven PUMA North America employees assisted Somerville Kiwanis members in packing 204 backpacks with the donated school supplies. 

Last week, Kiwanis President Mernaysa Rivera-Bujosa, Treasurer Catia Aruda and Program chair President-elect Haley Adams, led the members and volunteers in packing and preparing the backpacks for distribution. Other members participating included Secretary Paul Upton, Immediate Past President Darcie DeLuca, Distinguished Past Presidents Bob Nissenbaum, Susan Callahan, Past Presidents, Toni Shelzi, Frank Wright, Bill Lemos, Isaac Machado, Jack Connolly, Members Eugene Brune, Jim Bowdring, Jillian Bowdring, and Adam Portney, who brought his two children to help pack bags.  PUMA volunteers were led by Chelsea Longin, Manager of Workplace Experience, and employees Heather Bentall, Amy Biladeau, Harvey Dalzon, Lea Kluger, Tiffany Kwong, Pulkit Manchanda, Mark Mulvaney, Amy Reese, Erica Simons and Samantha Williams. 

President Mernaysa Rivera-Bujosa expressed the club’s thanks to everyone who donated supplies, especially PUMA North America and their Joint Venture Partner United Legwear.  Without the generous support of so many in our community, this program would not be possible. 

To learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Somerville, visit our web site, www.somervillekiwanis.org or like us on Facebook, Kiwanis Club of Somerville.