Emmaus’ Volunteer and Gifts In-Kind Manager Denise Arnold accepts school supplies from Gary Jaffarian, president and CEO of Jaffarian Volvo Toyota. (Courtesy photograph.)
For the second year, children living in Emmaus programs will be starting the school year next week with new supplies collected by the staff and customers of Jaffarian Volvo Toyota.
Jaffarian Volvo Toyota, 600 River St., Haverhill, conducted a school supply drive during July and August, collecting dozens of backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, crayons, colored pencils and other school supplies.
“We’re thrilled to donate this truck full of school supplies to kids in our community because helping them is what it’s all about,” said Gary Jaffarian, president and CEO of Jaffarian Volvo Toyota. “Our hope is that these donated items—from backpacks to ballpoint pens—will help students start the school year off right with everything they need to fit in and thrive in the classroom.”
Emmaus’ Volunteer and Gifts-In-Kind Manager Denise Arnold said she’s been getting calls from mothers in the Emmaus programs asking if Emmaus had any extra backpacks and school supplies. Arnold said when parents received the school supply list from the district, they quickly became overwhelmed.
“I had one mom show me her list and said ‘how am I going to get all this?’ I told her not to worry, we would help,” Arnold said, adding that she has 30 families who have signed up for backpacks and school supplies, and anticipates more will come forward.
Since 1985, Emmaus of Haverhill has helped more than 30,000 children and adults out of homelessness and toward self-sufficiency. This past year alone, Emmaus has helped 3,066 people, including 1,552 children through its shelters and housing programs. On any given night, 300 adults and children will call Emmaus “home.”