FCPS Brings Back 'Collect for Kids' Campaign for Summer

Fairfax County Public Schools recently announced the return of its annual “Collect for Kids” campaign, which seeks donations to benefit students throughout the school district for the coming school year.

The campaign is looking for donations of cash, backpacks and/or calculators, according to the program’s website. Those wishing to participate can make a financial donation online or in person at one of FCPS’s credit union partners: Apple Federal Credit Union and Northwest Federal Credit Union. Participants can also donate calculators and backpacks at the credit unions as well as with the program’s many other partners.

Through partnerships with Office Depot, Walmart and Kitz for Kids, FCPS can turn a $1 donation into $3 worth of school supplies. Donations are suggested, but not mandated, to be in values of 10 “because we can purchase the basic FCPS approved supplies for that amount,” according to the “Collect for Kids” website.

The program is also seeking variety in its donated backpacks, and is encouraging those wishing to donate calculators to donate one of the following three models:

• TI 30Xa Solar School Edition (Middle Schools)

• TI-83 Series (High School)

• TI-84 Series (High School)

The “Collect for Kids” program began in 2010, and it has grown every year since. Last year, more than 30,000 Fairfax County students in need began the school year with school supplies funded through the program, and the number of beneficiaries of the program is up 84 percent from where it stood in 2011.

For more information, visit CollectForKids.org.