Clearlake >> Children’s faces lit up as they received food, school supplies, clothing and backpacks donated to them by Lower Lake High School (LLHS) Rotary Interact students during their “Blessings in a Backpack” event Thursday.
The group handed out about 200 backpacks filled with items they collected throughout the school year, said club advisor Jen Totten of the Rotary Club of Clear Lake.
“These kids have worked really hard and it’s a great reward for them to see these children receive these backpacks,” Totten said.
Homeless advocate and volunteer Pauline Brown said they put together the event at Wal-Mart in a short time, but was impressed by the long line of parents and children who showed up.
The LLHS students said they needed a project for the year, and felt helping children was an important cause.
“I was a poor and needy kid so I felt like it’s something we need to do,” sophomore Wyatt Hitchcock said.
The LLHS students assisted children and their parents as they went down a line choosing which items they wanted to take home.
When junior James Totten said, “I think we should do this annually,” the entire group enthusiastically agreed.
