Amy FranttiU.S. Bancorp 612-303-0733 amy.frantti@usbank.com Jennifer N. WilsonColorado Coalition for the Homeless 303-285-5222jennifer.wilson@coloradocoalition.org
THE DENVER OUTLAWS, U.S. BANK AND COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS PARTNER TO GET HOMELESS KIDS READY FOR SCHOOL Backpack and school supply drive means 200 homeless children in metro Denver will have a better chance to beat the odds and succeed when they return to the classroom
DENVER (July 22, 2009) — The Denver Outlaws and U.S. Bank have partnered with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to collect backpacks and school supplies for homeless school-aged children.
The Denver Outlaws will collect backpacks and school supplies during their lacrosse game at INVESCO Field this Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. There will be drop boxes at U.S. Bank's metro Denver branches July 20 to July 25. Backpacks and school supplies may also be dropped off to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, 2111 Champa St. in Denver, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through August 6.
Backpacks and supplies will be distributed to 200 school-aged children during the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ “Back to School Health Fair,” where homeless children will receive the required immunizations, vision, hearing and dental screenings for school. The Back to School Health Fair is August 8 at 2100 Stout St., Denver. U.S. Bank is providing employee volunteers for the event.
“I just told a child today (about the school supplies) and her eyes lit up,” said Renee Shykind, the Coalition’s Pediatric Health Services Coordinator and health fair lead organizer. “These are things that homeless families just can’t afford.”
Getting a strong start on the school year is vital for homeless children who have extra barriers when it comes to school attendance and learning. Like other low-income children, they may start the day off malnourished and go home to a crowded, unsafe environment. Homeless children are also likely to change schools two to three times in one year, falling behind academically four to six months with each move.
There are an estimated 11,000 homeless people on any given night in the seven-county Denver metro area. The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. CCH advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Please visit us at www.coloradocoalition.org.
Part of Major League Lacrosse, the world’s premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league, The Denver Outlaws have a current record of 8-2 and have clinched a playoff spot at Championship Weekend in Annapolis, MD on August 22-23. The Outlaws set the professional lacrosse attendance record this past 4th of July, when 21,952 fans packed into INVESCO Field at Mile High. The final home game of the season will be this Saturday, July 25 when the Outlaws take on the Long Island Lizards at 7pm. For more information visit www.denveroutlaws.com.
U.S. Bank operates 153 branches and more than 250 ATMs in Colorado. U.S. Bancorp, with $266 billion in assets, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 2,850 banking offices and 5,173 ATMs in 24 states, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at usbank.com.