Kicking off the League year with its first event, the SMILES committee convened for the Back-to-School project at Miles Perret Cancer Services.
Each year this committee purchases, organizes, and assembles backpacks filled with school supplies for children who are fighting cancer or have a family member with cancer.
“The work began weeks ago. We collected supply lists, calculated how many supplies were needed, and prepared the backpacks so that everything was ready to go,” said Tomeka Livings, SMILES Committee chair. “We are grateful knowing that these backpacks will help children whose lives are affected by cancer.”
Committee members met at the Miles Perret Cancer Services and assembled 89 backpacks for 41 families. In early August, Miles Perret distributed the backpacks just in time for the start of school.
Sarah Molbert, Director of Services and Wellness for Miles Perret, was grateful for the SMILES Committee’s work.
“You, your committee, and Junior League are such a gift to our clients and Miles Perret Cancer Services,” she wrote in a note to Livings. “The clients who received supplies were incredibly appreciative and overjoyed with your generosity.”
Molbert happily shared a few comments from clients who received backpacks.
“Thank you, guys, so much for helping with this. This helps lift a burden. I told my daughter that you were taking care of the school supplies and she almost cried," said one client.
“Thank you so much for all the help,” said another client whose husband is recovering from a difficult procedure in Dallas. She didn’t know how she would have gotten the school supplies taken care of if not for the help from Junior League of Lafayette.
What’s up next for SMILES? In October, the committee will host a fun-filled Halloween party for the children and families of Miles Perret Cancer Services.