New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that his back-to-school drive in partnership with the United Way of Westchester and Putnam has concluded, netting hundreds of essential school supplies to support local students in need.
This drive is the latest in Senator Harckham’s ongoing efforts to support students across the 40th Senate District. In addition to partnering with the United Way for a second consecutive year on its back-to-school initiative, Harckham has helped secure more than $250 million in increased school funding for the district. He also partnered with Madison Square Garden to distribute 300 backpacks to students in the Peekskill City School District (PCSD) and has collaborated with PCSD to host multiple career fairs aimed at preparing students for success after graduation.
“Many families in our communities are facing financial challenges due to ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Harckham. “This drive is one way we can help ensure every student has the tools they need for a successful school year. I’m grateful to the many residents who donated so generously, and I offer special thanks to our partners at United Way, as well as the John C. Hart Memorial Library and Reed Memorial Library for their support.”
Collection sites were set up at the Senator’s district office in Peekskill, as well as the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Yorktown and the Reed Memorial Library in Carmel. Thanks to strong community support, the drive brought in 200 notebooks, hundreds of pens, pencils and crayons, more than a dozen backpacks and other assorted school supplies.
United Way Senior Director of Community Impacts, Avery Zuvic said: “We are so grateful to Senator Harckham for partnering to collect much-needed back-to-school supplies, which will help students in our communities start the school year off on the right foot.”
The drive ran from July 1 through August 20, with the donated items going to families whose children qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. Distribution will be handled by United Way’s nonprofit partners.
Hart Library Director, Yvonne Cech said: “We are grateful to the Yorktown community for its generosity in supporting our children and education. Thank you to Senator Harckham and the United Way for organizing this event.”
Reed Library Director, Denise Martens said, “The Reed Library would like to thank the Carmel community for coming out and supporting the back-to-school drive.”
Yorktown Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman said, “It is always great to see our community and government leaders working to help those in need. Sometimes something as simple as having back to school supplies can be the key to success for our children.”
