Brianne knows what it was like to get brand-new school supplies each year.

Since third grade, she stood at the mall doors during the School Supply Assistance Program giveaway, ready to sprint toward the table to pick out her “cute” new backpack.

At the time, she didn’t realize what those backpacks truly meant. She knows now—that the supplies her community gave her helped her keep up with her classmates, succeed in school, and ultimately earn her degree from Purdue.

“I am encouraged to continue to volunteer and spread the positivity and resources to start the school year strong, because it had a large impact on me as a student not very long ago. I was able to fit in with peers and be successful,” Brianne said.

The Bartholomew County School Supply Assistance Program, which United Way of Bartholomew County proudly supports, gives children what they need to succeed in the classroom—a core part of United Way’s mission. For the 2025–2026 school year, more than 2,000 backpacks were distributed to the community.

Inside her own backpacks over the years, Brianne often found something extra—a hand-written note from a community volunteer. Those small messages became a source of encouragement year after year, motivating her to keep going and work toward her future.

“One year, as I was starting middle school, I put the note I received in my locker as a reminder that someone outside of my close circle actively cared and wanted to see me succeed. This little note encouraged me on bad days to believe in myself throughout high school, living in my locker each year,” Brianne said.

The impact of something as simple as a backpack and a kind note inspired her to give back to the program that had given her such a strong start.

“I volunteer to help out the community and leave a positive impact wherever I can. I particularly like to reach out and support the programs which had helped me and my communities prior, which this program continues to do,” Brianne said.

For the past three summers, Brianne has spent long, hot days at the Cheer Fund warehouse, where the School Supply Assistance Program holds its distribution. She cheerfully grabs backpacks from tall piles and places them into the hands of the next generation of students—children whose parents just need a little extra support to start the school year right.

She wants them to have the same chance she did.

“It is super fulfilling and makes my summer to know that I got to help be a part of the process to brighten their day and bring K–12 students confidence for the school year,” Brianne said.