Press
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital to Partner with Operation: Kid Equip, AGCU, and Mojo in the Morning for Backpackpoloza Downriver
WYANDOTTE, MI (August 7, 2013) — Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital (HFWH) is partnering with local non-profit organization Operation: Kid Equip (OKE), and Affinity Group Credit Union (AGCU) to provide Downriver children with books, backpacks and needed school supplies for the upcoming school year through Backpackpalooza Downriver. The one-day event will be held from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Hospital, located at 2333 Biddle Ave. in Wyandotte.
Also joining us will be Mojo, Spike, and Shannon from the Mojo in the Morning show on channel 95.5, along with many of their own volunteers to help with this amazing event! School-age children will have the opportunity to pick out a backpack and stuff it with school supplies, provided by the three partnering organizations. Also on hand will be Henry Ford Wyandotte experts to provide healthy snack demonstrations, free blood pressure checks and a few fun activities for children and families provided by both Henry Ford Wyandotte and AGCU’s WySouth teams. Last year, we gave away around 350 backpacks and unfortunately had to end up turning people away. But this year, we’re giving away approximately 900 backpacks!
“Our ongoing partnership with Affinity Group Credit Union and now our new relationship with Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital will allow us to increase our reach to children living in poverty,” says Menachem Kniespeck, founder and CEO of Operation: Kid Equip. “We’re excited to reach out to children in the Downriver region once again.”
Operation: Kid Equip has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Affinity Group Credit Union for more than a year. The partnership included sponsorships, school supply drives and joint community outreach activities. While operating as separate entities, both organizations share a common vision of academic achievement for all students.
The event is open to the community and no registration is needed. There is no income requirement, but children must be present to receive their backpack and supplies. Affinity Group Credit Union is a member owned not-for-profit financial cooperative serving members of Crestwood Community, Kensington Valley Community, Municipal & Health Services, OKE Financial, St. Cletus, and WySouth. With a vision of Changing Lives, One Member at a Time, AGCU serves anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, or owns a business in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe and Livingston Counties. Visit: www.myagcu.org for additional information.