Five Points Rotary Club fills emergency backpacks
Contributed by The Rotary Club of Five Points

The Rotary Club of Five Points recently completed a unique service project by preparing emergency backpacks for use by foster children across S.C. The backpacks are given to foster children when the state has to intervene and place them in safe care.

"The entry into the foster system can be very traumatic for a child, especially if it involves intervention under circumstances of extreme distress," said James Harrison, club member and project co- chair . "We heard that the state was in need of these backpacks to offer to children when they enter into the system. The club took on the project, and it turned out to be a great fit for us."

The club filled 20 backpacks, 10 for girls and 10 for boys, with items such as toys, books, clothing and hygiene items. Daniel Felder, club member and project co- chair said, "We made up a list of the types of items the backpacks needed and circulated it around the club for several weeks so that folks could sign up for the items they wanted to contribute. In the end, we had plenty of material to fill all the backpacks with toys, clothes, and personal items." Backpacks were filled at a Club meeting in mid- April and turned over to the S.C. Department of Social Services.

"We do service projects all the time, but this one stands out because it was simple, fun, and will make a huge difference," said club president, Marcia Medway. "I hope our Club will continue to participate in this project for years to come and that we can attract others to it also."

The Rotary Club of Five Points is a member of Rotary District 7770 of Rotary International. The 83 member club meets on Fridays at 1 pm at Rosewoods at the State Fairgrounds. The club adheres to the Rotary International motto of Service Above Self and this year's theme Lead The Way.