While volunteering at the Little Shop of Kindness in June, AMCL’s New York team connected with one of Team TLC’s lead volunteers and learned that they would be running a school supply drive throughout the summer. Their overall goal was to collect 250 backpacks filled with supplies such as lunch boxes, notebooks, rulers, etc. and donate them to NYC schools in need before students returned in early September.
Eager to get involved, AMCL agreed to assist with a request from PS 33 Chelsea Prep – a public elementary school in the city that welcomed an influx of nearly 62 asylum seeking families last year – for 80 filled backpacks. With Turner & Townsend’s help, AMCL was able to commit to 100 backpacks upfront. An Amazon wish-list was created shortly after, providing both the T&T NY team and AMCL North America’s team with the opportunity to select school supplies from the list to donate.
In a matter of three weeks, AMCL managed to not only meet, but exceed all of their donation goals. A handful of volunteers from T&T and AMCL helped sort donations and pack the bookbags on August 24th. By the end of the day, they had filled nearly 110 backpacks total. On August 29th, AMCL North America’s Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, Kayleigh Watson, then worked alongside other volunteers from Team TLC to load and transport the bookbags to PS 33.
All in all, Team TLC was able to deliver a total of 400 backpacks to schools across the city! Thanks to their efforts and the generosity of all those who donated, hundreds of migrant students will be able to start their school year off with the resources they need.
