Explorers Give Backpacks to Kids Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - March 4, 2021March 4, 20210 The Merze Tate Explorers are learning the importance of philanthropy. The youth council has led fundraising efforts that have helped youth around the globe! Not only have the students contributed $1,000 of their fundraising dollars to a girl in Tanzania for a year of education, they are providing supplies to youth in their community. Explorer Youth President Sierra Ward presents backpacks to students of Tree of Life Christian School in Kalamazoo, MI. The free Christian-based school, founded by Adam Sterenburg, is the only inner-city Christian school on Kalamazoo’s South side. The Explorers shared 100 backpacks with toddlers and elementary school students in Kalamazoo. They backpacks not only included copies of the Your Turn: African American Women First of Kalamazoo coloring book, but crayons, calculators, books, and other items to inspire youth to learn. The Your Turn book contributions were sponsored by part by K-RESA (who printed copies of the original edition), the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo’s MAGIK grant, and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Other items were purchased with funds from a bottle collection fundraiser the students organized last fall. Explorer founder Sonya Hollins poses with one youth who received backpacks on behalf of the Teacher’s Closet in Kalamazoo. The Teacher’s Closet provides school supplies to youth in need who attend Kalamazoo Public Schools.
