Page 127 - 2018 B2SI Recap Binder

The group provided boxes full of supplies as gifts to local military families.
"The last thing you want is to not have everything you need for school,” US Army dad, Clint Murphy.
Murphy said he wants his kid's' first day to be stress free.
“Because then you'll have a kid that doesn't have everything,” Murphy said. “Or that is left out and nobody wants that to happen."
Back to School Illinois gave out a variety of school supplies for military families in need, depending on the grade levels.
“Markers and colored pencils,” CEO Back to School Illinois, Matthew Kurtzman, said. “Spiral bound notebooks, protractors, and rulers."
Kurtzman said it's worth all the volunteer hours.
"Our military is obviously critical to the safety of our country,” Kurtzman said. “And we should all do our part to support them."
Some military students, like Emma Harris, said they're grateful for the event and for their parents.
“My dad,” 9-year-old Emma Harris said. “He's fought in the war once and that helped and my mom, she helps children and people."
Harris said she's happy her dad will be with her for the first day. "He works in the military,” Harris said. “It's nice that he'll be here." But Harris knows some kids aren't as fortunate.
"You just want to be a part of this moment,” Murphy said.
Murphy serves in the National Guard. He said the supplies from Back to School Illinois helps their family and many families across the state.
He said the spotlight is on the kids, not the parents during this time of year.
"Hard to leave your kids anytime, and the people that have to deploy or called back to base,” Murphy said. “Whether it's a short distance or a long distance, any distance is hard to manage with a family."
The event is a part of Camp Lincoln. Back to School Illinois teamed up with Operation Homefront to distribute around 400 kits. They hope to distribute up to 3,000 more this year to military bases across Illinois.
If your military family needs supplies, you can contact the Child & Youth Program Office at Camp Lincoln at (217) 761-3395.