Four Rivers Family and The Dalles Lions Club Prepare Backpacks for Local Kindergarteners

The Dalles, OR; September 6, 2023 - Last month, Four Rivers Family Early Learning & Parenting Hub staff members and The Dalles Lions Club members joined efforts to fill over 75 backpacks with school supplies for local children entering Kindergarten this fall.

Approximately 12 members from the The Dalles Chapter of The Lions Club attended the event, including The Dalles Mayor, Richard Mays. Backpacks were filled with school supplies that were provided by Four Rivers Family and prepared at Columbia Gorge Education Service District (CGESD) in The Dalles.

In less than 1 hour, 75 backpacks were filled which will be distributed to children graduating from Preschool Promise sites throughout the 5-county region the Hub serves that includes Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler counties. Children will use the supplies when they enter Kindergarten this fall. 

Preschool Promise is a publically-funded program offered by the Early Learning Division that provides free, high-quality preschool to Oregon families with children ages 3-4 living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. 

Preschool Promise programs operate from various settings that include child care centers, homes, culturally specific programs, Head Start programs, school districts, educational service districts, and community-based organizations to best align with families' needs and preferences.

Four Rivers Family plans to continue building partnerships with The Lions Club and new organizations throughout their 5-county region to continue serving local families.

“We are grateful for the Lions Club’s generous support of their time and joy! It continues to be our hope to not only fill backpacks but also to fill the hearts of our youngest learners, to provide what they need to succeed,” says Four Rivers Family Director Shira Skybinskyy. 

To learn more about Preschool Promise, please visit:

https://fourriversfamily.org/preschool-connection