Operation Back to School (OBTS) thanks Cheyenne community businesses, organizations and individuals for donations given to the school supply drive this year. Because of their generosity, Laramie County students in need were able to start the school year prepared to learn.
Public donation bins were located at Needs Inc., Laramie County Community College, Laramie County Library, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Aug. 17–19, from 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., families visited the Needs Inc. office at 900 Central Ave. to select backpacks stocked with school supplies. Needs Inc.’s Executive Director Barbara Fecht said they handed out approximately 325 backpacks to the students. Fecht and Cindy Reynders from Laramie County School District 1’s Community Relations office delivered a car load of school supplies and backpacks to Laramie County School District 2.
The committee will also purchase TI84 calculators for Laramie County School District 1’s high school loan-out programs as well as Laramie County Community College’s program. Committee members are optimistic that by the end of this year’s campaign, and throughout the year, more than 1,000 students will receive assistance.
“Business, organization and individual donations represent the bulk of the school supplies provided in the backpacks we give out,” OBTS Chair Cindy Keen Reynders commented. “The spirit of giving exists in Cheyenne and because of that, our local school children benefit greatly. Without the community’s support, the OBTS committee could not fulfill its mission of helping boys and girls have a successful school year.”
Members of this year’s volunteer network include F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Laramie County Community College, LCSD1 Community Relations and Needs Inc. The alliance would like to thank members of the Cheyenne community for their constant support. Businesses that made a significant contribution include: Align, AT&T, Black Hills Energy, Blue Federal Credit Union, Bright Beginnings Childcare, The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Cheyenne Small Business Market, Cheyenne Police Department, Dads Making a Difference, EchoStar, Edward Jones Investments (Vandehei Blvd.), F.E. Warren Air Force Base, First Education Federal Credit Union, First Presbyterian Church, Great Lakes Aviation, “Day of Giving,” Highlands Presbyterian Church, JFHQ-WY/MPMA, Joint Force Headquarters, KGWN TV 5, Laramie County Community College, Laramie County Library, Laramie County School District 1, McGee, Hearne & Paiz, Menards, Moose Lodge, Needs Inc., Richard Johnson/Charitree, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Walmart Distribution, Center, Whispering Chase, Wyoming Air National Guard Base, Wyoming Department of Corrections, Wyoming Department of Transportation and numerous individuals from throughout the community.
