It began when a need was identified…

Enchanted Backpack was started with the belief that all children deserve to have the tools they need to learn and excel and that all teachers deserve to have the support and materials to make their classrooms exciting learning centers. The mission of Enchanted Backpack is to make a real difference in the lives of students and teachers by reinforcing key values and supporting the growth of better educated, principle driven individuals. To do a job right, you need the right tools. Yet, in too many of our schools, teachers are struggling to achieve the best results in classrooms that are under-resourced for students who often lack some of the basics that would make them feel proud, comfortable and ready to learn.  As a result, far too many teachers are forced to dig into their own pockets to make up some of these shortages.

Which turned into a commitment…

The Lavin and Bernick families have searched for ways to improve this situation and believe that one of those ways is a charitable effort called Enchanted Backpack. Enchanted Backpack works with teachers and principals to stock classrooms with learning tools ranging from 25 core classroom supplies — including pencils, crayons, paper, notebooks, binders — to 1,500 books, athletic equipment and a supply of clothing, such as winter coats, hats and gloves.

In an environment of constrained budgets, decaying physical facilities, and the huge need for additional resources, we are in danger of destroying hope and motivation and losing a generation of students critical to our future. We are also in danger of losing dedicated teachers.

The need is acute. The benefits from improving our schools are obvious. The rewards from seeing the difference that incremental improvements can make are tremendous.