Healthy Grandparents Program donates backpacks, supplies to local families

The Healthy Grandparents Program handed out more than 150 backpacks filled with school supplies, as well as blankets and other necessities, in preparation for the new school year on July 29 at the Henry Brigham Community Center.

The program was established at Augusta University’s College of Nursing in January 1999 to provide physical, emotional and social support to grandparents and great-grandparents raising their grandchildren aged 0-17.

“I would really like to thank the faculty and staff at the College of Nursing, the Richmond County Information Technology Department, and everyone at Turner Padget Law Firm,” said Mike Patton, program coordinator for the program. “We are very thankful for all they did for us, coordinating a school supply drive for us, and they really went above and beyond to help us take a little bit of the financial burden off of the grandparents this year.”

See more: Patton wins WJBF Giving Your Best Award

“In a year where inflation is hitting everyone hard, their generosity made a big difference,” Patton added. “Instead of just getting book bags for 157 children, we were able to stuff each one with enough school supplies to get the kids started on the right track for another school year. The program has always received a great deal of support from AU, the College or Nursing, and the Augusta community as a whole, and this year has been no different.”