Parents of Three Appreciate Free Backpacks, Show of Military Support
When back-to-school time rolls around each year, Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Anderson and his wife, Amy, know they will feel it in the pocketbook.
“After a while, it adds up, especially with multiple kids,” Amy said.
The Anderson family was grateful that their three children—ages 10, 15, and 17—received backpacks filled with school supplies at Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade (BTSB) event at Travis Air Force Base in California.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for military members and their families.” – Amy Anderson, Air Force spouse
The family will donate to teachers any supplies their son and two daughters don’t need.
Amy, who learned about BTSB through her participation in the Air Force’s Key Spouse program, appreciated the number of volunteers that organized the effort as they expected to hand out about 200 backpacks.
She also liked that parents received information geared to them. Coupons for new food products were a hit, and flyers from sponsors and area businesses will be useful.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for military members and their families,” she said. “I don’t think donors realize how much they do for the installation. Seeing them come together to support the military is amazing.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, and volunteers, the BTSB program has provided almost half a million supply-filled backpacks to military children since its start in 2008.
Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that is celebrating 20 years of serving America’s military families this year, aims to help service members and veteran families build strong, stable, and secure futures.
