SCHOOL NEWS RELEASE

Friday, February 19, 2016

Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks was presented with a check by Rosy Jansma, Mentone resident and parent of two Tippecanoe Valley students, who serves on the K21 Health Foundation Board of Directors. Because of Mrs. Jansma’s involvement in the community and commitment to making a difference, the K21 Foundation made a donation of $1,000 in her honor. Mrs. Jansma chose to use the donation to support Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks.

Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks is a program in which the weekend nutritional needs of approximately 160 children/families from Akron Elementary School and Mentone Elementary School are met by the provision of food and snacks sent home in a backpack each Friday afternoon. Students receive enough food for the entire weekend. Boomerang Backpacks helps eliminate hunger and allows students to concentrate better on learning throughout the week.

Shown accepting the check are members of the Tippecanoe Valley High School Life Skills Class. These students have the responsibility of packing the backpacks each week before they are delivered to the elementary schools.

Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Rosy Jansma, Gage Williams, Floyd Bradley, Miles Fowler, and Sarah Schumacher.

Pictured in the back row (left to right) are Kyle Perry, Eric Hume, River Thomas, Dr. Michael Bendicsen (TVHS Principal), Emma Coppes (Life Skills Class Teacher), Jenna Schultz (Life Skills Class Student Intern), and Kendra Kimes (Life Skills Class Instructional Assistant).

Anyone interested in donating to Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks may do so by contacting Tippecanoe Valley High School Principal Dr. Michael Bendicsen at 574-598-2100 or [email protected].