I was excited to participate in the Apex, NC, Chamber of Commerce 9th Annual Book Bag Bonanza! Member businesses contributed $10,000 (exceeding the goal!) to benefit Apex elementary and middle schools. This provided 150 brand new book bags for elementary school students filled to the brim with school supplies. Each school will distribute them to children in need that would otherwise not have these essential learning tools. Schools were also given Visa cards and Office Max gift cards to fulfill any other student or school needs. I helped open cartons and set up school supplies in an “assembly line” fashion for efficient stuffing by the school principals and teachers. I can only imagine the look on each child’s face when he/she receives this new book bag that is all their own!

Christine Johnson, Regional Director - Eastern North Carolina