Heart to Heart volunteers pack tools for school

OLATHE, Kan./July 17, 2008 — Heart to Heart International Inc., a leading global humanitarian organization, today completed its annual volunteer effort to provide thousands of disadvantaged students in the region with Heart to Heart SchoolPacks™ full of essential supplies in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Hundreds of volunteers descended July 8-16 to the underground warehouse of Meritex Logistics at 95th and Renner in Lenexa, where they stuffed 12,000 Heart to Heart SchoolPacks for distribution in the Kansas City area and beyond.

“It was especially heartening to see volunteers of all ages participating in this year’s effort,” said Linda Peden, Heart to Heart’s school-readiness coordinator. “We are helping more kids in more areas and our impact will be felt for years to come.”

This year also marked the end of an era: Linda Peden announced her retirement at the end of the volunteer initiative. For the past 22 years, she has led local efforts to provide children and youth in need with essential supplies. She joined Heart to Heart’s staff after the Project SOS merger in May 2006. Over the span of her nonprofit career, more than 130,000 students started the school year on the right foot.

“It’s hard to see Linda leave, because she has been an integral part of this effort for so many years,” said Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid, Heart to Heart’s chief operating officer. “Because her commitment, though, the SchoolPack initiative will continue to evolve and help more children throughout our region.”

The Heart to Heart SchoolPack provides students in four categories—grade levels K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-12—with age-appropriate school supplies in a durable backpack. Heart to Heart distributes the SchoolPack through agencies that serve disadvantaged children and families.

Groups interested in assembling and/or distributing the SchoolPack in their community can order it in specific quantities for a minimal cost per pack by calling Jorge Coromac at 913-764-5200.