Page 96 - The Scepter - Spring-Summer 2018_ Area Conferences Edition

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC LUNCHEON

Blessings in a Backpack - Karl and Karla Gentles
Blessings in a Backpack – Children First Leadership Academy, Phoenix, Arizona
The Children First Leadership Academy inspires students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and active citi-
zens. The school serves the whole child by providing hope, fostering strength, facilitating self-determination, and
developing leadership qualities.The Children First Leadership Academy delivers an educational leadership model
with a specific attention to detail to each of its 250 K-8 students. Smaller classroom sizes and additional re-
sources enable students to participate in a stable, stimulating, and supportive environment that instills confidence
and eliminates the obstacles that might otherwise stand in the way of a quality education.

Back to School Clothing Drive – Karl and Karla Gentles
Founded in 1967, the Back to School Clothing Drive provides fundamental items to high-need children through-
out Arizona. Our mission is to provide new school outfits and uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies to chil-
dren in need. Through our three programs we help more than 25,000 children from 260+ schools in
40 school districts. More than 9,500 students benefit from our "New Clothes, New Beginnings" clothing distribu-
tion through our partnership with BHHS Legacy Foundation's "Backpack Buddies" program. Our Student Attire
for Education (SAFE) program offers matching grants to schools that shop in our online store to fill their onsite
clothing closets. All proceeds from the store are invested back into our program to fund additional grants and
help more children. Finally, Our Stitches of Love program consists of 500 volunteer seamstresses who sew
clothes all year so students can return to school with an item that was handmade just for them.

AREA VI TTA CHOIR