Gyford Standoff Systems Helps Through Build a Backpack Campaign

Communities in Schools of Nevada Washoe County will receive backpacks filled with school supplies for economically disadvantaged students through the Build A Backpack campaign. As a part of the national campaign, Gyford StandOff Systems, with the help of sign shops, exhibit builders, award builders and many others, was able to donate 150 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Washoe County School District Children In Transition Program (CIT).

This program provides services to more than 3,350 children from birth through 12th grade. Children are given a wide range of services including but not limited to meals, transportation, clothing, school supplies, and even healthcare. The program’s goal this year was to reach 2,000 total backpacks.

The campaign is designed to help hundreds of families who can’t afford to purchase necessary supplies such as notebooks, pens, calculators, and binders. Build-a-Backpack is an event that involves filling backpacks with school supplies for children living in motels, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, or who are unaccompanied. For many of students, these fully stocked backpacks will be the only resource available to start a new school year with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.

Steve and Valerie Gyford bought 150 backpacks in early 2018 and Gyford’s staff filled the backpacks throughout the year with classroom supplies. To supplement their contributions, the company offered a sales promotion in May, where 10 percent of kit sales went toward buying supplies for this cause.

In May of this year, Gyford StandOff Systems was recognized by the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada as an “Outstanding Community Partner” for its efforts with Build-a-Backpack the year prior.