Backpack Giveaway...

On August 25^th  2007, Compassion Coalition, Inc. partnered with several area businesses, churches and individuals for it’s annual Backpack-Give-Away. Over 150 volunteers were on hand to help with this great event! The give-a-way was held on the grounds of the Utica and Rome City Halls and over 5,000 people combined attended the back-to-school event. The need to help the inner-city children prepare for the new school year was once again, for the eighth consecutive year, a great success! Not only did the children receive a backpack full of school supplies, but they and their families were treated to music, free haircuts, hot dogs and iced cold sodas.

 Compassion Coalition, Inc. partnered with many local business and scores of volunteers who all worked together to ensure “Great Beginnings” because we believe all children deserve a chance to succeed. Every child deserves a chance to start the school year prepared and confident. Compassion Coalition tries to do just that by providing the supplies the children need to get started. However, Compassion Coalition could not handle this task single handedly. Thanks to the generosity of private and corporate donors every child left the event with a backpack strapped to their back full of school supplies and with big smiles on their faces. We want to personally thank The First Source Credit Union; Rome Savings Bank; The Community Foundations of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, Inc.; Adirondack Bank; Mt. Zion Ministries Church; Resurrection Life Church, City Hope Fellowship Church of Utica, Compassion Coalition, Inc. and First Assembly of God Church of Marcy for all being major sponsors of this wonderful event. We also want to thank the many other sponsors:

            Northern Safety, Co.

            Redeeming Love Gospel Church

            Herkimer County Hunger Coalition

            Cathedral Corporation

            Rev. Michael J. Servello

            Capraro Technologies, Inc.

            Danella Photographic

            Charles Balog II, CPA

            Peter Carchedi

            Edge Research

            Commercial Travelers Insurance

            Tom Boyland

            L.I.U.N.A. Laborers Local No. 35

            Friends of Tony Picente

            L. Theodore Foss

            Surgical Associates of Utica, PC

            Daniel F. Colino, Inc.

            Casa Imports

            Teamsters Local Union No. 182

            Jeffrey Hoffman

            Norman and Diane Bunce

            Ocuto Blacktop Paving Co., Inc.

            Rev. Charles and Sharon Sweet

Special Thanks to
out Major Sponsors

The First Source Credit Union

Rome Savings Bank

The Community Foundations of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, Inc.

Adirondack Bank

Mt. Zion Ministries Church

Resurrection Life Church

City Hope Fellowship Church of Utica

Compassion Coalition, Inc.

First Assembly of God Church of Marcy