School starts at the end of this month, and Fairfax-based nonprofit Britepaths is scrambling to provide students in need with backpacks and calculators. But it can’t fill the huge demand without the community’s help – and time is running out.

In 2018, Britepaths assisted 2,655 students through its annual Collect for Kids Back to School Program; this year’s goal is to give supplies to at least 2,500. All the recipients attend schools in Fairfax County. Locally, they go to Fairfax High, Lanier Middle School, and Daniels Run, Fairfax Villa, Bonnie Brae and Oak View elementaries.

Helping is as easy as ABC, and especially needed are monetary donations to enable Britepaths to purchase all the needed supplies at a bulk discount. A

$30 donation helps two students, $60 helps four students, $75 helps five students, $150 helps 10 students, $400 helps a whole classroom, and $1,000 helps an entire grade level.

“Thank you to those of you who responded to our call for donations and gave a generous gift toward our back-to-school program,” said Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. “We collected $2,760 since Aug. 1. But we still need to raise $23,000, and we have a very long way to go to reach our goal of serving 2,500 kids – and the community can help.

“If you've already donated, spread the word and ask your friends and family to join you in supporting kids in need,” continued Whetzel. “If you haven't yet made a gift, please consider making this school year the best one yet for a child in need. Please give today to help us reach our goal.”

How to Help

• Make donations via Britepaths’ secure, online donation page at britepaths.org or mail a check to Britepaths, 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Write “BTS” on the memo line. Monetary contributions will be accepted through Aug. 23.

• Bring donations of new, larger-sized, sturdy backpacks and scientific calculators – which may be new or gently used, TI-30xa Solar School Edition or TI-84 – to Britepaths’ office (see address above), by this Friday, Aug. 16, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Calling ahead is advised).

For more information, contact Joanne Walton at 703-273-8829 or jwalton@britepaths.org, or visit britepaths.org.