Jamaica Square Improvement League kicks off back to school with giveaway in Elmont

With the start of school on the horizon, a backpack giveaway hosted by the Jamaica Square Improvement League of Elmont saw more than 400 students received bags filled with school supplies at Hendrickson Avenue Park on Aug. 10.

The fourth annual event, coordinated by the Jamaica Square Improvement League, supplied backpacks and school supplies for students in the Elmont school district. A coordinated effort of volunteers assisted in donating, assembling the backpacks with supplies, and the distribution to the students.

“In my heart and in my soul, I feel very, very, very, very happy to know I can change someone’s life,” said Elizabeth Wellington, who works for Nassau County Human Rights and sits on the JSIL Board of Directors at the civic association. “These little kids always need to smile. And we don’t know what they’re going through, so giving a backpack is just phenomenal, to see them give that little smile when they receive it.”

This year, the volunteers with JSIL assembled 718 backpacks containing marble notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, rulers, glue sticks, scissors and other basic school supplies that elementary school children need. However, there were approxamitely 300 backpacks left at the end of the event that had not been handed out.

“We’ll definitely use those for next year,” JSIL president Claudine Hall said. “And I’ll be getting calls throughout the week. I’ll meet them at the park and give them a backpack.”

Many groups contributed to the backpack and school supply giveaway. The Emanuel Baptist Church family, Class of ‘84 Sewanhaka High School alumni, employees at Town of Hempstead, the Retired Teachers of Elmont Union Free School District, Sewanhaka High School teachers, elementary school teachers and the New York Islanders gave donations of money or supplies, according to Hall.

Hall started organizing the annual backpack giveaway four years ago when she realized families were struggling to provide school food and school supplies for children during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

“We started a food pantry during the pandemic,” Hall said. “And we noticed that if there are families that could not afford food, they wouldn’t be able to afford backpacks for their kids.”

Amy Buchanan volunteered to help hand out bags during the giveaway. She commended Hall for her service to the community.

“I have known Claudine since she observed in my school at Alden Terrace, 20-some-odd years ago,” Buchanan said. “Fabulous individual, wonderful person, caring, giving, and I bet you she’s really tired about now."

While many children received bags full of supplies, some Elmont parents had mixed feelings about the event.

“I’m happy (that) they get a backpack of their choice,” said Adesuwa Aifuwu, a parent of children who received backpacks on Aug. 10. “The crayons too — my daughter, she likes to draw, she likes to color.”

As a new guardian who goes to the church food pantry twice per month, Yvonna Valentine saw this backpack giveaway another way.

“Money is tight, everything is tight,” Valentine said. “I’m retired, on a fixed budget, and I’m taking care of my granddaughter by myself. So, it’s very tough. It’s devastating, because of all of this waiting (on the line). If I had the money I wouldn’t be here.”

Many parents found deeper meaning at the giveaway.

“They have a choice,” said Varan Singh, another parent. “Plus, they’re meeting the community, so they can interact with other kids as well. It’s important to educate your kids.”