COLUSA, CA (MPG) —Colusa County’s second annual Backpack Drive surpassed its goal this year, with the community raising approximately $9,000, exceeding the initial $7,000 target.
Jillian Rohleder, a Colusa County Chamber of Commerce board member and employee at Colusa Industrial Properties, set out to fill 500 backpacks geared for students in 1st–5th grades.
Rohleder, Colusa City Councilmember Dave Markss, Colusa Levitt Amp Volunteer Sadie Boggs Ash, Colusa County Chamber of
Commerce Member Sue Gibbs, Colusa County Chamber of Commerce President Colleen Wrysinski, Colusa County Chamber of
Commerce CEO Jack Cunningham, Colusa County Supervisor Janice Bell, Colusa County Chamber of Commerce Member Chon
Santana and Colusa Firefighter Abigail Wolf. Photo Courtesy of Hapa Films/Donovan Jugarap Lee
Through community support, donations of school supplies, and volunteer efforts, Rohleder confirmed the cost of supplies came in around $6,000, well under budget. Surplus funds and remaining supplies will carry over to next year’s project.
“Our community really showed up,” said Rohleder. Donation boxes placed countywide were filled, some multiple times, with Daily Habit in Colusa filling its donation box twice. Rohleder noted that during fundraising, community members consistently expressed the sentiment, “anything for the kids.”
Library Morse Conference Room drew strong participation.
Photo by Lloyd Green Jr.
The two-night “Fill A Backpack” event at the Colusa County Library Morse Conference Room drew strong participation. On the first night, volunteers, including local Girl Scouts and Rotary Club members, aimed to fill 200 backpacks from 5-8 p.m. but reached their goal in one hour. On the second night, volunteers filled another 200 backpacks, and Colusa City Fire Department staff and volunteers completed the remaining 100 backpacks.
Local businesses supported fundraising efforts. The Rotary Club of Colusa raised $3,760 by raffling off a donated hog, while Charter Realty contributed $1,000. Other supporters included Colusa Industrial Properties, First Northern Bank, Umpqua Bank, Colusa Masonic Association, Colusa Rural Firefighters Inc., and Colusa Firefighters Association.
Rohleder expressed gratitude and aims to continue expanding the initiative annually. “Last year I was able to do 100 backpacks, but this year, with all the support, we accomplished five times that amount,” Rohleder said. “I hope this event continues to grow, giving our youth the confidence and supplies they need to start each school year.”