OUC Volunteers Shine at The Great Big Backpack Build®

From left to right: Jessica Chislett, Community Engagement Coordinator ; Ava Calvert, Intern Community Engagement; Queen Massaline, Sr. Community Engagement Coordinator; Clara Lenis, Sr. Marketing & Communications Coordinator; Bernadette Boesch, Manager of Community Engagement; Karlene Santiago, Sr. Community Engagement Coordinator.

This past Thursday, June 6, saw the return of The Great Big Backpack Build ®, with over 400 volunteers contributing. The annual event is the ultimate team-building project, designed to ensure thousands of students from Orange County Public Schools and Osceola County Public Schools start the school year excited and well-prepared to learn by receiving a backpack full of school supplies.

Featuring fun and impactful activities, the event encourages corporate social responsibility and is ideal for companies, businesses, employee resource groups, and community organizations of any size.

OUC has participated in this event as a sponsor and volunteer since 2012. This time, OUC’s Community Engagement and Communications department volunteered.

Held at the Orange County Convention Center, the day kicked off with remarks delivered by Jane Thompson, president of A Gift for Teaching, and event emcee Lisa Bell, WKMG anchor.

More than 21,000 backpacks were packed – each filled with essential supplies for the upcoming school year. This effort plays a crucial role as more than 70% of public schools in Central Florida are considered high need, meaning hundreds of students could show up on the first day of school without basic supplies.

The mission of A Gift For Teaching is to change this reality. The backpacks will be delivered to more than 140 Orange County public schools with the highest need, and to public schools in Osceola County.

OUC is proud to be part of this initiative. Through our involvement, we aim to make a lasting impact, ensuring every child has the opportunity to start the school year ready to learn and succeed. To learn more about A Gift For Teaching and how you can become involved, visit AGiftForTeaching.org.