Oak Crest’s Back to School Drive Helps Local Families

Parkville, Maryland—For many students, school might not begin until after Labor Day this year, but the preparation still begins in August.

At Oak Crest, residents,  employees and their relatives contributed to the 2nd Annual "Back to School Drive" service project to provide supplies to local families who could use a helping hand.  For two weeks, they donated school items such as loose-leaf paper, pens, #2 pencils, binders, folders, notebooks and book bags.  

On August 10, the items were sorted and taken by employees to Perry Hall Baptist Church as part of the community-wide Person First Connection for distribution at the Eastside Family Shelter in Rosedale later this month. 

The drive was sponsored and coordinated by the Oak Crest Diversity and Inclusion Council.  Shannon Webb, LBSW, MS, a member of the Council who works as a Resident Services Coordinator, noted that the project is "worth doing to help families whom are struggling to make ends meet.  Providing a filled backpack allows parents to use other financial resources towards clothes, shoes and other important needs as school approaches."

"It is truly a community-wide collaboration.  One resident told me that she and her brother received school supplies when they were young and now it's her turn to give back," stated Mrs. Webb, who will represent Oak Crest during the distribution event at Eastside Family Shelter.

The Erickson Living retirement community also received $600 to purchase additional supplies to fill book bags to be distributed to eligible employees and students at other schools.

The mission of the Oak Crest Diversity and Inclusion Council is to create awareness and understanding through learning and to celebrate our diversity of culture, ethnicity, race, age, physical abilities, gender identification, sexual orientation, religion and mindset of staff and residents.

About Oak Crest:  Oak Crest is one of nineteen continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living.  Located in Parkville, Maryland the scenic 87-acre campus is home to more than 2,100 residents.  Oak Crest is the ideal greater Baltimore retirement destination offering a true sense of community, convenience beyond compare and a sensible financial structure.