Longwood Rotary's Book Bag Project 2026

The 26th Annual 2026 Book Bag Project was a tremendous community effort, resulting in 768 book bags packed and delivered to local children. Each book bag included 17 different supplies, totaling 17,560 individual items purchased for the project. The Gushurst family generously donated calculators for grades 6–8 and books for grades 3–5, while the United Way donated books for students in grades K–2.

This project was made possible through strong partnerships with several local agencies, including KACS (Kennett Area Community Service), CCCC (Chester County Connect Care), Tick Tock Early Learning Center, and Mighty Writers. Their support helped us identify and reach the children and families who benefited from the program.

Our dedicated volunteers were the heart of the project. Ten volunteers handled all the item shopping. Twenty volunteers helped with Friday’s setup, while 25 volunteers packed and delivered the book bags on Saturday. We also had the support of 35–40 volunteers who attended Friday’s social hosted by Dawn Talley and the Newmans.

"With the rising cost of school supplies, families in our community are facing greater challenges getting their children ready for school. This program is so important in helping families provide the essentials their children need. Our group is thrilled to support this program every year. It truly is a community effort, and we are grateful to everyone who helps make it possible," says Linda Riondet, the Bookbag Project Chair.

The Rotary Club provided the funding that made this program possible through member contributions, club fundraisers, generous donations, and a District Grant. We were also incredibly fortunate to have the event site at The Gathering Place donated to support the project.

A heartfelt thank you to our Rotary members, community partners, donors, and every volunteer who gave their time, energy, and resources to make the 2026 Book Bag Project a success. Together, we made a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of local children.

Our community is grateful!