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BNBI Employees Donate 1,000 Backpacks to Frederick County School Children

"Having the required school supplies is a very basic need that some parents are challenged with given the cost," said Debbie Wivell, CASS Coordinator.

CASS has been working for several years to provide all children inFrederick County the opportunity to arrive at school prepared to learn. While many area businesses and individuals are very generous donating school supplies, backpacks had always been in short supply until last summer when BNBI launched its Backpack Campaign.

"While we were impressed last year when BNBI employees donated 550 backpacks, we were blown away when BNBI called a few weeks ago and said they had met their goal of raising enough for 1,000 backpacks," said Wivell.

"The idea for this community-giving project came from one of our employees, and given Battelle's commitment to education, it was a natural fit," said Pat Fitch, BNBI President and NBACC Lab Director. "For the second year in a row, the response from our employees is overwhelming. To nearly double the number of backpacks is incredible, their generosity is greatly appreciated, and it will go a long way to help area kids in need," said Fitch.

Community Agency School Services is a collaborative outreach program of theFrederick County Public Schools. CASS works with families of school-aged children throughoutFrederick County to provide them with support and access to resources. CASS services are free and participation is voluntary.

Battelle National Biodefense Institute is the management and operations contractor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center located within the National Interagency Biodefense Campus onFort Detrick inFrederick, Maryland.

SOURCE Battelle National Biodefense Institute, LLC