Thank You!

GAAR members, you’ve done it again! Thanks to your generosity, our 2025 Backpack Drive collected 1,094 brand-new backpacks for local students in need.

In addition, Members contributed a record-breaking $3,249 in cash donations—funds that APS will use to purchase much-needed school supplies to help even more students start the year ready to learn.

These donations directly benefit the McKinney-Vento Homeless Program, which serves children and youth in our community who are experiencing homelessness. Together, we’re helping ensure they have the tools, confidence, and support to stay in school and succeed.

Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and continued commitment to making a difference!

Shout Out to Several Donors

Ben Gomez, Weichert, Realtors-Image
($1,000 donation)

Coldwell Banker Legacy (Academy & Cottonwood)
(59 backpacks)

Directors Mortage
(270 backpacks - collected 170 + matched 100 for 270)

ERA Summit
(440 backpacks + $130)

More About the Program

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Program provides basic services to children whose families are experiencing homelessness, and donating backpacks is one small way we can help keep these students in school. APS estimates that 3,238 students enrolled in local schools have no permanent place to live.

Children in the program may:

• Live in transitional or emergency shelters
• Live in motels, cars, abandoned buildings, or other inadequate accommodations
• Are "doubled up" (two or more families in the same household)
• Are runaways or youth rendered homeless by their parents