Boys & Girls Club Donates Backpacks Filled With School Supplies To Chicago Kids

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Some Chicago kids can skip the back to school shopping, thanks to generous donations, reports WBBM's Nancy Harty.

Kids filled the gym at the James Jordan Boys and Girls Club on the West Side Wednesday afternoon, eating snacks, dancing and playing relay games designed to mimic getting ready for the first day of school. They were there to get backpacks filled with school supplies and an inspirational note from volunteers according to Boys & Girls Club President Jim Keane.

"That is part of what a child needs to have a successful school year to start off successfully is encouragement from an adult," said Keane.

Ariel Burtley, an incoming freshman at the Chicago British School, says she's grateful for the backpack.

"That is more time that we get to use as summer time instead of going out to Staples and stuff with our parents 'get this, get that' because nine times out of ten I already have it because of this which is why I am very happy," said Butler.

Sam's Club Market Manager Kevin Rucker and 70 of his colleagues volunteered with one goal in mind.

"To take something off of their plate, take something off of their parents' plate, so when they go back to school they're ready," said Rucker.

Rucker credits the Boys and Girls Club in Dayton, Ohio where he grew up with keeping him out of trouble and in a safe environment.

The partnership provided backpacks for 1,400 students in some of Chicago's most challenging neighborhoods.