Love Lodi looks for a lift in backpack drive
Jul. 11—Love Lodi is asking the community to help it collect some 1,500 backpacks for underprivileged children this summer.
Once collected, the nonprofit organization will partner with the Lodi Police Department and other civic groups to distribute the backpacks at Blakely and Hale parks during National Night Out, to be held on Aug. 6 this year.
Community members interested in donating a new, 17-inch backpack can drop them off in bins at several location throughout Lodi, such as Inspire Coffee, the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, Safelite Auto Glass Repair, Vintage Church, First Baptist Church of Lodi, Vinewood Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
If your child needs a new backpack, visit tinyurl.com/LoveLodiBPs.
Annually held on the fist Tuesday in August, National Night Out is an evening when neighborhoods host block parties and come together to show solidarity and unity against crime.
Its purpose is to raise crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
In previous years, block parties have been as small as about half a dozen residents, to large gatherings of about 100 people at Vintage Church on Turner Road or Robinson's Feed Co. on Victor Road.
Lodi Police Department officers visit as many gatherings as they can, discussing how they are stepping-up efforts to fight crime, as well as providing tips on how residents can help each other and their neighborhoods stay safe.
Lodi Fire Department personnel also visits some events, as well as Lodi city staff and city council members.
Some visitors will be handing out informational pamphlets, badge stickers and other promotional products to event hosts throughout the evening. There were about 50 National Night Out gatherings throughout Lodi last year, including block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials and anti-crime rallies.
National Night Out participation forms are available at www.lodi.gov/327/National-Night-Out.
Love Lodi said it would also be purchasing 400 JanSport backpacks for middle school and high school students through a partnership with Joe Hassan's Clothing.
To support their effort, visit loveourcities.givingfuel.com/love-lodi, or write a check payable to Love Lodi and mail to 444 W. Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95240. All donations are tax-deductible.
In addition to donating backpacks on Aug. 6, the organization is looking for volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up at Blakely and Hale parks that evening. To register, visit www.lovelodi.org.
Love Lodi will also conduct a "back to school" clean-up on July 20 at Lakewood and Lawrence elementary schools.
Some 50 volunteers will be needed from 9 to 11 a.m. to clean up trash and pull weeds to beautify the campus before the first day of school. Visit www.lovelodi.org to register.