"Christmas in August:" AT&T Pioneers donate backpacks, school supplies to kids in need



MILWAUKEE -- Dressed in all red, a group of compassionate people spent Thursday morning, August 27th dropping off goodies.

"Today is like Christmas. It's Christmas in August every year. You feel like Santa Claus going to all of these schools and dropping off supplies," said AT&T Pioneer Jeannette St. Onge.

The AT&T Pioneers are volunteers who work together to give back to the community. One of their many efforts is the "Tools for Learning Project."

Volunteers donate money and fundraise to buy backpacks and supplies for children in need.

"This is a project that I`ve been working on for more than 20 years. It`s very near and dear to my heart to make sure that kids have the supplies that they need so I`m just happy that we`re able to help so many children this year," said St. Onge.

This year, the organization donated more than 900 backpacks to seven schools in the Greater Milwaukee Area.

One of those stops was at Silver Spring Elementary, where teachers also dip into their own wallets to help their students.

"It's very difficult when you have a population of 95 - 98 percent of free and reduced lunch so we try to offset what we can`t pay for out of our own pockets with the donations we get with AT&T," said Silver Spring Elementary School Principal Janice Carter.

It's an effort to set students up for a successful school year.

"It's humbling and sometimes it brings you to tears," said Carter.