By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
May 4, 2011

Assurant Employee Benefits was crowded with backpacks and children April 28.

Assurant employees put a twist on the “Bring Your Child to Work Day” by having their children stuff backpacks full of school supplies for City Union Mission’s community assistance program.

“We thought it would be a good fit because it’s the students doing something for their peers,” said Jonna Kaiser, administrative assistant to the Chief Information Officer at Assurant.

Assurant also wanted to instill in its youngsters the importance of “giving back” to the community, Kaiser said.

By the end of the day, the children stuffed 1,100 backpacks.

Assurant employees donated all the supplies, including the backpacks.

“It’s providing a huge budget relief and providing a huge volunteer need,” said Cara Madden, corporate relations manager for City Union Mission. “We’re able to provide more backpacks for those who need it in the community.

“Just knowing it’s done months ahead of time is huge.”

City Union Mission will distribute the backpacks in August and throughout the school year to income qualifying families.

“For hard-working parents who barely have enough income to keep food on the table or a roof overhead, the donation of school supplies relieves a financial burden and ensures their children have the supplies they need to start school on equal footing with their classmates,” City Union Mission Executive Director Dan Doty said. “This isn’t just about putting supplies in a bag, it’s about giving underprivileged youngsters every opportunity for a good education.”

Above, youngsters unpack backpacks to fill for City Union Mission’s community assistance program. From left are Mark Cane, Hunter Ginavan and Traizen McKown. Leslie Collins