“We are lucky enough that we have this partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Orillia. They run this backpack program for us,” said Haleigh Payne, fundraising and community development co-ordinator for BBBS.

BBBS puts out a call to families to submit a wish list of what students need for school, and then Kiwanis members take a wish list and fill it.

“Some of them want plain black backpacks and some want ponies and glitter and sparkle,” said Cearia Watton-Somersett, mentoring co-ordinator for BBBS. “We try to make their wants and wishes come true because we want them to use them and love them.”

The BBBS Orillia office is now full of personalized backpacks.

“They are ready for pickup,” said Watton-Somersett.

Stephanie Hunter, a past-president and active member of the Kiwanis Club, was one of 18 volunteers who showed up at Staples Monday to purchase the materials and pack them together with Staples staff. She said the Kiwanis Club has been running the charity project for several years.

“Last year we packed 47 backpacks. To go from 47 last year to 66 this year shows there is definitely a growing need so anything we can do we are happy to help out. It’s part of our mandate in Kiwanis,” Hunter said.

Every year the club sets up a budget for the backpack project. In addition, Staples cashiers ask customers to donate to the Kiwanis back pack program in August and the first two weeks in September.

It’s makes a big difference to the children, said Watton-Somersett.

“Obviously, our kids need to be ready for school. When they have the right supplies, it helps them become more successful. A lot of our families face a lot of financial barriers, so without these donations and this program, our kids wouldn’t have backpacks or pens or pencils,” she said.

“So, we are able to support the schools by sending our kids to school ready to learn.”

Throughout the summer, BBBS provided client families with a snack program, in co-ordination with The Sharing Place Food Centre.

“So, when the kids come to pick up their backpacks, we will also send them home with snacks to get them through to when school starts next week,” Watton-Somersett said.

“We’ve got them ready to grow and learn and we help them the best we can.”

BBBS is a not-for-profit organization that depends on fundraising. The 30th annual Golf for Kids’ Sake held last Friday raised more than $25,000 at Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club.

“It was a beautiful, sunny day. We lucked out with the weather and we almost sold out with 70 golfers,” said Payne.

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month in Canada. The kick-off in Orillia includes a fundraiser by Harvey’s Orillia on Sept. 3. Ten per cent of sales will be donated to youth mentorship in Orillia.

Then, on Sept. 27, it will be the Big Barbecue, a free, family-friendly event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tudhope Park. Donations are accepted for food and drink. It’s sponsored by Harvey’s Orillia, the Kiwanis Club and the Orillia Cornhole Club.