Group collects backpacks filled with goodwill National program collects needed items for foster children BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Iselin resident Helen Evens hopes the 10th annual Backpack Campaign program yields the largest donation to date. "The response to help children in foster care by students from the township schools, and various organizations and donors has been overwhelming in the past," said Evens, who is the president of the Woodbridge chapter for the national organization Stand for Children. "Currently, township students are working on the project by collecting new backpacks and filling them with personal items," she said. "It's going very well so far, the program grows little by little each year." Evens said she started the backpack campaign in 1998 when she saw a need for items when her brother became a foster parent. "Some of these children only come with the clothes on their back," she said. "I never anticipated the overwhelming response that the program continues to receive each year." Evens said items that can be collected include shampoo, conditioner, combs , brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, school supplies and much more. "The backpacks will be given to the children in July at a private party for over 100 children and families," said Evens. "Each child will pick his or her own backpack." Evens said state Sen. Joseph Vitale [D-19] has been instrumental to the backpack campaign. "The transition that foster children have to make is a tough one," said Vitale. "This campaign hopefully eases the burden these children face." "I can't thank Stand for Children organizer Helen Evens enough for the effort she puts in each year to help us make this campaign a success, as well as the hundreds of adults, school children and organizations that contribute generously," he said. According to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services [DYFS], there are over 300 foster children and 100 foster families in Middlesex County. "When children are removed from their home, they don't always get the opportunity to pack a bag, and many never return home to retrieve their possessions," said Evens. "This program gives the children a possession they can call their own at a time when everyone and everything familiar is being taken away." Some backpacks are given directly to the president of the Middlesex County Foster Parent Association while the remaining bags are given to DYFS workers to give to the kids when they are taken out of their homes. The first campaign goal in 1998 was to collect 300 backpacks; however, the campaign collected over 2500 backpacks in the first month. Now over 10,000 backpacks have been collected since the campaign started. Evens founded the Woodbridge Chapter for Stand for Children, a national membership organization, in 1998 to increase public awareness about the needs of children and to encourage individuals to make a difference in the life of a child, starting within their own community. The Woodbridge chapter is recognized in the local community for creating lasting programs that promote awareness of the obstacles children face living in foster care and domestic violence shelters. The organization enables everyday people to join together in a strong, effective voice to win concrete changes for children. Those wishing to make a donation can drop off a new backpack, toiletries and other personal items to the Woodbridge Firehouse on School Street in Woodbridge during the month of June. Donations are accepted throughout the year. For more information contact Helen Evens, president of Stand for Children, at (732) 326-0326.