MEMPHIS, Tenn.– Tens of thousands of dollars in school supplies were donated to the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

This huge undertaking was sponsored by the Southern Security Federal Credit Union.

Inside each bag are some of the tools to help the students have a successful start to the new school year.

From headphones to crayons, markers, pencil cases, pouches, and so much more are being stuffed inside these backpacks by volunteers for students.

“I think every kid needs to start off the school year in a very fashionable and prepared way, and they are going to have a more successful year if they have all the supplies that they need,” Marcie Mulhern, Youth Villages director of development, said.

This initiative has been a true community collaboration.

“We set up boxes in all of our branch locations to collect supplies and monetary donations – people could also make monetary donations,” Dawn Graeter, CEO of the Southern Security Federal Credit Union stated.

Graeter says this has become an annual tradition.

“We’ve done about four or five years. They feel more confident that they have the supplies that they need and the tools that they need,” Graeter mentioned.

When it’s all said and done, $60,000 worth of supplies are going to fill more than 650 backpacks just in time for the first day of class.

This annual initiative helps children who have experienced trauma or have a history of emotional or behavioral issues.

Those with Youth Villages will distribute the stuffed backpacks.