9-year-old Kansas City girl organizes backpack drive

Brooklyn Stewart has one major goal this summer.

"My goal is 200 backpacks,” the nine-year-old said. 

The Kansas City soon-to-be fourth grader started a back-pack drive in 2014 by collecting 20 backpacks.

Last year she set a goal of 35. She collected 153.

"I wanted to do a service project and so I like making sure the kids at the Salvation Army have the backpacks and supplies they need for the school year,” said Brooklyn.

So now, with a heft goal of 200, Brooklyn’s summer tradition is off and running yet again.

She is not only accepting backpacks and school supplies from her home, but is also collecting monetary donations online which will be used to buy more backpacks.

Everything will then be taken to the Salvation Army at the end of July.

"I've traveled right around the world, 32 countries with the Salvation Army, and this is a first,” said Philip Maxwell, a major with the Salvation Army of Kansas and Western Missouri.

Maxwell told 41 Action News that Brooklyn’s effort is outstanding not only because of her age, but also because the need for school supplies each August is tremendous.

"The distance between those who have and those who have not is ever increasing,” he said.
 

Ways to donate backpacks and/or supplies:

• Deliver to 624 W 70th Terrace in KCMO
• Donate monetarily to Brooklyn’s GoFundMe campaign
• Purchase from Brooklyn’s Amazon Wish List