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Monthly Archives: January 2023

Pioneers Penn Jersey Ch. 132 Backpack Project and Don MacKenzie Grants

The strength of Pioneering is the volunteer. Pioneers projects are as diverse as the communities we serve. We take a grassroots approach towards volunteerism, responding to the unique needs of our hometowns. The Pioneers Don MacKenzie Charitable Foundation Fund (Foundation) provides grants for educational and/or charitable community service projects that make a significant impact in local communities and generate substantial recognition for the Pioneers.

Students in NJ and PA Public schools are responsible for providing their own school supplies (including, but not limited to backpackspens, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, paper, calculators, computers, etc.)

New Outlook Pioneers has endeavored to close the economic gap in some of these areas. Many years ago, we sent letters to Elementary school principals in school districts where we identified struggling families. We asked these school administrators if their students would benefit from receiving back packs and school supplies. The response from every principal contacted was a resounding “YES”!

Since that time, we set a purchase goal to buy thousands of back packs, and accompanying school supplies for students in the communities we serve.

Submitted by Cynthia Price – Penn-Jersey 132