Fountain Hills continues the Backpack challenge with 6 community events through July 9.  More than 65 backpacks still are needed to meet the Fountain Hills goal of 100 backpacks.  Basic school supplies are needed and will be accepted at all collection events too.Fireside Grill will host the next Backpack challenge event on Thursday, July 5, from 4 to 6:30 pm.On Friday, July 6 from 4 to 7 p.m., The Hills’ Pizza and Dessert Trattoria will host the Backpack event.On Saturday, July 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. Modern Woodsmen will host a community wide Backpack event at OYO Frozen Yogurt.  Modern Woodsmen will provide $3 off each yogurt with backpack entry. The $3 off applies to each member of the family or couple who donates a backpack.  The Fountain Hills Food Cart will be taking donations from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. through July 7.  Food Cart principle, Dakota Paisley said the Food Cart will donate a quarter-pound hotdog to each person dropping off a backpack at their cart. Senor Taco will be taking donations from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 9 at their Fountain Hills Blvd location. The final event in the drive will be help at Streets of New York, also on July 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.  The Grand Basket, which includes gift cards/coupons for local eateries totaling at least $150, will be awarded to a backpack donor.  All events donors will be included in this drawing.Backpacks can be dropped off during the day at the main donation box located at the DC Bar & Grill, 10440 N Indian Wells Dr. or in the evenings at the Fountain Hills Food Cart.  Donors should include a card with each backpack including a phone number contact for basket award notification and an email for tax donation receipts.  Receipts will be sent later this year via email. More than 30 backpacks were donated during the first week of the challenge which included local events at Desert Canyon Bar & Grill and HD Asian Bistro.  Both restaurant hosts provided free food for Backpack challenge participants.  One backpack donor won the first Gift basket worth $70 in local coupons in the first drawing. As of July 28, 31 back packs were donated, including 5 with school supplies.  School supplies needs include glue sticks, loos leaf paper, folders, #2 pencils, pens, rulers and single subject notebooks to fill 95 backpacks.  Six gift baskets and a Grand Basket were created with local donations to be awarded during the challenge.  The Grand Basket drawing will take place on July 9 around 6:15 pm at Streets of New York, the final event. One basket was awarded during the June 25 kickoff event.  Each gift basket includes at least $50 in gift certificates and coupons for local businesses.Businesses who donated to the Gift basket giveaways include: Put a Handle on Your Candle, All American Grill, Aquamiento Bar & Kitchen, Chocofin, Papa Murphy’s, Streets of New York, The UPS Store, Water & Ice, UMB, Tyler Mott Photography, Denny’s, SoapinEssence, and The New Fireside Grill.The Backpack Challenge collects essential back to school items for foster care youth in Maricopa County.  This is through VOICES for CASA children, an Arizona nonprofit organization. The Department of Child Safety (DCS) supervises the care of more than 10,000 abused or neglected children in Maricopa County. For many children, a new backpack gives a sense of pride & boosts confidence and self-esteem.  “This community has been awesome,” said Cay Svob, a CASA volunteer who is participating in the Backpack challenge.  “I work with several foster children as a CASA.  If you met any one of them, you would be happy to provide them a backpack – I’m sure of it.  “So many local businesses have contributed to the baskets and are hosting the events.  I’d love to see lots of people come out, meet their friends for lunch or dinner while helping the kids who will be going back to school soon.”

Cay Svob

csvob@hotmail.com

309-645-9261