AMA members provide thousands of children with back-to-school backpacks

Two AMA members — Western Wealth Communities and Quarterpenny Management — held back-to-school drives to equip Arizona children with backpacks and learning materials, all while having a fun time.

This year was Western Wealth Communities’ ninth annual “We’ve Got Your Back” campaign, which was created by the company’s Co-founder and CEO Janet LePage. 

More than 2,700 backpacks stuffed with supplies were handed out to families at apartment communities in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and Dallas, said Property Management Coordinator Lisa Green. Another 28,000 items such as folders, rulers, pencils, crayons, erasers and scissors were provided.

“Nothing warms your heart more than seeing a kid excited to get a brand-new backpack,” Green said.

The company makes sure to provide backpacks in a range of styles, from solid colors to clear plastic and from those adorned with cartoon characters to “funky” fashions, so kids of all ages receive one they enjoy.

Each leasing office was decorated with the 2024 event theme “Star Wars,” complete with light sabers and Darth Vader masks. 

“In this day and age, everything is so digital. We try to provide a resident event where people want to come, and that contact is made again,” Green said. “It’s pretty touching. Not only does it make an impact on the community, it makes an impact on the employees too.”

Badges and backpacks

Quarterpenny Management, which operates apartment communities in Tucson and Green Valley, also ensured school kids were ready to learn.

The company helped to sponsor the Pima County Sheriff’s Office annual “Badges and Backpacks” event, said Quarterpenny Management Marketing and Training Director Lauren Reece.

The sheriff’s office provides 1,000 backpacks, which families fill with supplies given out at sponsor tables. They can also receive vision, hearing and dental care, in addition to a lively atmosphere complete with bounce castles.

Kids visiting Quarterpenny Management’s table could spin a prize wheel to win lunch boxes, pencil pouches, notebooks, fun erasers and pencils, Reece said. Over 500 items were given away, in addition to a drawing for a grand prize $250 Walmart gift card. 

Children were most excited by Quarterpenny Management’s “treasure box,” where they were allowed to dig for toys like plastic bugs, rings, slinkies and fidget spinners, Reece said.

“It was so fun to watch them light up,” she said. “The smiles and giggles when visiting with them were so heartwarming. We look forward to participating in this event for many years to come.”

 

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