08/31/11 Two Thumbs Up For The Greenwich Rotary Club's Looking Out For Some Of Greenwich's Less Fortunate Children

Greenwich club helps send kids back to school

Lisa Chamoff, Greenwich Time Staff Writer

Despite the first day of school looming ever closer, most of the children who came to Town Hall Wednesday were surprisingly happy.

Instead of negotiating the crowded aisles of office supply stores, they picked up bright new backpacks with everything they needed for the first day of school, provided free of charge by the Rotary Club of Greenwich. For the third year, the club assembled backpacks filled with school supplies for Greenwich families in need.

The distribution took place the day before what was to be the first day of school, which town officials announced Wednesday would be moved to Sept. 7 due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene....

...Eight-year-old Jack Morocho excitedly clutched his yellow and gray backpack, filled with the items he needs to start the year at Hamilton Avenue School next week.

"I get to meet the new teacher," Morocho said. "I get to learn new things. We sometimes play the computers and sometimes learn from the computer."
Was he still excited by notebooks and colored pencils?
"Oh, yes," Jack said.

Marlene Rojas and her three kids -- Ryan Llanos, 7, Brianna Llanos, 11, and Ariana Llanos, 13 -- all came to get their supplies before the start of elementary and middle school. As the girls discussed whether the colors of their backpacks were feminine enough, Rojas said she appreciated the program.

"It helps," Rojas said.

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Greenwich-club-helps-send-kids-back-to-school-2150063.php#ixzz1WhVknXio