With a new school year fast approaching, thousands of Thames Valley families will struggle to afford essential back-to-school supplies for their children.
It's why the Thames Valley Education Foundation (TVEF) is proud to work, once again, with United Way Elgin Middlesex for the 24th annual Best First Day backpack drive.
This community-wide initiative aims to give every student in the Thames Valley District School Board the supplies they need to go back to school in September. A community-driven project, Best First Day provides backpacks filled with essential supplies to students in need. This not only helps foster educational success but gives them confidence and pride as they head back to school.
"Every student deserves to start their school year with the tools they need to succeed," said Cecile Klerks, Acting Executive Director, TVEF. She noted many families face a choice: send their child to school with lunch or buy them school supplies; they don't have money for both. "Your donation to the Best First Day campaign can take the stress of back-to-school shopping out of the equation by sending a student to school with everything they need to learn."
Organizers hope to fill 4,000 backpacks this year. In 2024, they distributed 4,200 backpacks to students in Thames Valley.
Donations from the community are crucial to success of this program.
"We couldn't do this without them," said Klerks. "We are incredibly grateful for the support we've received from our community in the past, and we're confident that, together, we can make this year's #BestFirstDay our most impactful yet."
Community members can participate in #BestFirstDay in various ways:
- Supplies: New backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off at designated collection points throughout the city. A list of accepted items and drop-off locations can be found on our website - bestfirstday.ca.
- Donations: Financial contributions can be made through our website at bestfirstday.ca. Every dollar goes directly toward purchasing backpacks and school supplies. Sign up by contacting Cecile Klerks: c.klerks@tvdsb.ca.
- Sponsorships: We invite you to become a sponsor and support students when they go back to school. For more information, contact Cecile Klerks: c.klerks@tvdsb.ca
Join us in making a difference. Together, we can give every student the best first day of school possible. Deadline to donate is August 25, 2025.
For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.bestfirstday.ca or contact one of our partners (listed below).
Contact
Thames Valley Education Foundation
Cecile Klerks
Acting Executive Director
Thames Valley Education Foundation
Office: 519 452 2000 x 20204
United Way Elgin Middlesex
Roxanne Riddell
Director, Community Impact
rriddell@unitedwayem.ca
519.438.1723 ext. 224
Thames Valley Education Foundation
Formed in 2001, the Thames Valley Education Foundation is a registered charitable organization and the fundraising arm of the Thames Valley District School Board. We exist to foster support from the community to create an exemplary public education system where every student has the support, they need to be their best selves. Our funding comes from local organizations and businesses, grants, and the generous citizens who wish to support us in our mission to enhance the learning experience of students in our community. Visit the TVEF website at www.tvdsb.ca/tvefor follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @TVeducationFdn.
United Way Elgin Middlesex
The largest non-government funder of social services in our region, United Way is dedicated to creating lasting, positive change in the quality of life for vulnerable people. We work to tackle the root causes of poverty, finding long-term solutions and lasting support so that everyone can reach their full potential. We are locally driven and locally governed, and our resources are invested into community programs strategically to support urgent needs and promote long-term stability in the social conditions of families in our communities. Donations stay 100% local, always.
