Tampa, FL – Kids Charity of Tampa Bay would like to thank everyone in the Tampa Bay community for making our “Help Us Fill the Wagon” School Supply Collection Drive such a huge success.  Through your generosity, we were able to provide backpacks and school supplies to over 3,300 children in the Tampa Bay area. These children include those in the foster care system in Tampa, Pinellas and Pasco counties, as well as young adults who have recently aged out of foster care.

“This year we wanted to reach more foster children who deserve the same opportunities as other children to be successful in school,” said Wayne Witczak, Executive Director of Kids Charity of Tampa Bay. “Our success was made possible by the overwhelming support we received from our community partners who organized school supply drives and encouraged other individuals and organizations to participate. It is truly inspiring to see the community step up to support our cause especially when the economy has had its negative effects on all charities. Special thanks to USAA, VT Seva, Camden, AAA, Elsevier/Gold Standard and Hillsborough County Fire Fighters for their especially generous donations.”

Agencies receiving the backpacks and school supplies include Eckerd Community Alternatives, Camelot Care/Independent Living – Hillsborough County, Camelot Care/Independent Living – Pinellas/Pasco Counties, Kinship Care, Lazydays Center for Youth Development, Guardian Ad Litem of Hillsborough County and other programs of HKI. 

The annual School Supply Collection Drive is one of Kids Charity of Tampa Bay's community indicatives and was accomplished with many wonderful volunteers from the community.  Thank you to this wonderful and generous community for helping our children with the tools they need to be successful in school!