Raise the Future partnered with members of the Utah community to fill backpacks with school supplies on August 4th. In total, 250 youth in Utah's foster care system will receive one of these backpacks. Besides helping kids start the 2021-2022 school year with the physical items they need, these backpacks also serve as a tangible reminder of just how many people are rooting for them.
The August 4th event was part of a partnership between Raise the Future and the Utah-based online marketplace Jane. A few months ago, a creative teen in foster care named Warner submitted artwork that inspired the limited edition Be You Tees by Limeberry Designs, available for purchase on Jane.com through September 30th. As part of the #JaneForGood initiative, 100% of proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts go towards purchasing backpacks and school supplies for Raise the Future youth! Learn more.
Raise the Future staff and community members came together at the Jane office in Lehi to stuff the bags. Volunteers at the event included Utah's First Lady and leader of the #ShowUpUtah Initiative Abby Palmer Cox, actress and adoption advocate Katherine Heigl, and U.S. Congressman Blake Moore. Warner, the young artist behind the Be You Tees collection, was also in attendance and received her very own backpack and laptop from Jane to take with her when she starts college in the fall.
Thanks to the Utah State Office of the Governor for the photos featured above, and thanks to the media for providing video coverage of this event!