SchoolReady 2007 – 23 bags, 2 schools, and tons of smiles!

The ReallyGive community did it again! We proved that giving real gifts to those in need makes a huge difference. Through our first SchoolReady giving event we donated 10 high school and 13 elementary school backpacks full of valuable tools for students.

Just a few weeks ago, our team put out a call for school supply gifts and the response was wonderful. From Dora the Explorer backpacks to 1 gig flash drives, from writing paper to scientific calculators, the giving community went above and beyond our expectations.

Trevor Dilley, our first web developer and a recent graduate of Ballard High School, and co-founder Joel Ballezza filled a small Honda with all the school supplies and drove to Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle and Bailey Gatzert Elementary School in South Seattle. These schools were selected because of demonstrated need. At Chief Sealth High School, 55% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch; over 88% of students at Bailey Gatzert Elementary fall into that category.

We knew this was a great opportunity to contribute to their school communities. At each site, we were welcomed by school administrators who appreciated the “no-strings attached” offering of school supplies.