Although she had a goal of getting 50 backpack donations, backpack drive organizer Ashley Plewes blew past that goal on Friday.
The Collingwood mom spoke with CollingwoodToday last week about her backpack drive which took place this past Friday at the Collingwood Walmart. All proceeds will be given to the Collingwood Salvation Army to assist families in need on their backpack waitlist this year which, at that time, sat at about 50 families.
On Monday, Plewes said the drive brought in $1,400 in monetary and gift card donations, and a whopping 77 backpacks which were all brought to the Collingwood Salvation Army over the weekend.
“It feels pretty amazing,” said Plewes. “We have such a great community. People are still messaging me asking to contribute.”
Plewes had assisted with other backpack drives in the past, however this marked the first year she organized one herself.
“I never expected this,” she said.
However since the Friday drive, the need has grown.
Plewes says the Collingwood Salvation Army waitlist for backpacks has now grown to 137 families, and the organization will be closing the waitlist this Friday. The non-profit is expecting to be able to provide for all 137 families due to the generosity of the community.
“It’s way past what they expected. They’re hoping to be able to serve everybody,” she said.
Plewes is in the process of organizing a second drive at the Collingwood Walmart in the evening. For more information or to find out how to contribute, contact her at [email protected] or call 705-441-6472.
If you are a family in need, contact the Collingwood Salvation Army to be added to the waitlist for a backpack.
