The first day of school can be an awkward experience, especially for children from families that don’t have money for new clothes, shoes or school supplies. Thanks to support from ACE’s New York City employees, nearly 200 local children could look forward to the 2007-08 school year.  

About 40 ACE employees – mostly from New York, but also a few from ACE Philadelphia and ACE Brazil -- provided backpacks with clothes and school supplies to children living in New York City shelters. Some employees sponsored a specific child and provided back-to-school supplies and clothing from their wish list, while others donated time, money or school supplies to support the effort. In addition to donating backpacks, outfits, shoes, books and school supplies, employees wrote encouraging letters to the students.  All told, the ACE staff donated enough supplies for 180 students.

The items were collected by Battery Park City Cares in partnership with First Day New York and distributed by Women In Need, Family Preservation Program and Longlife, all local nonprofit organizations.