L-R Standing: Bill Lemos, Eugene Brune, Federal Realty Assistant General Manager David Middleton, Darcie DeLuca, Regina Bertholdo, Somerville Schools Parent Information Center, Jim Bowdring, Julia Esko and Courtney O’Connor from Prospect Hill Academy; Seated: Kiwanis President Paul Upton, Program Chairperson Haley Adams, Assistant Chairperson Catia Aruda. ~ Photos courtesy of Somerville Kiwanis

On  August 16, the Somerville Kiwanis Club wrapped up their month-long drive to collect school supplies for local children in need. The program began in early July with donation collection boxes being placed at local businesses across the city where the supplies were collected. On two July weekends, Kiwanis members collected supplies donated by customers at Staples located at Assembly Square Marketplace. In addition, club members and corporate supporters donated more than $2000 in cash.

Working with the Somerville Public Schools, Parent Information Center and the Prospect Hill Academy Charter School staff, the program was developed to assist the local children in the greatest need of help. Using space at Assembly Row donated by Federal Realty Trust, the donations were sorted and inventoried. The club purchased additional supplies with the cash donations. On Tuesday evening, club members and volunteers from Federal Realty Trust packed 191 backpacks with school supplies. Thursday afternoon the backpacks were delivered to both the Somerville Schools and the Prospect Hill Academy.

Kiwanis President Paul Upton and Program Chairperson Haley Adams expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported or contributed to this program including East Cambridge Savings Bank, Winter Hill Bank, Naveo Credit Union, Century 21 Commonwealth Realty, ABG Realty, Staples and Wedgewood Crane and Connolly Insurance for their support of this program. Special thanks to Staples manager Deanna St. Croix and David Middleton of Federal Realty Trust for donating available space for the supplies, a generous cash donation and providing volunteers to assist.

— Somerville Kiwanis