Every year, Matrix Human Services hosts a bookbag drive with Ford Motor Company Fund where bookbags and school supplies are distributed to children in our summer camp. However, this year was different. Due to Coronavirus, our summer camp and bookbag drive did not happen, but we still wanted to make sure kids in need were not left without.
So on Friday, October 23rd, 2020, Matrix Human Services visited Trix Academy and John R. King school in Detroit as well as Laurus Academy school in Southfield with a delivery of bookbags and facemasks thanks to our partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund. Ford also distributed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths) kits which are especially useful for at-home learning during Coronavirus lockdowns.
Kids at Laurus Academy school wearing their Matrix facemasks
Sharita Topps, Educator of Detroit Public Schools Community District, had this to say about the day,
“I am so humbly grateful for the generous opportunity you blessed the students of John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy with on Friday, October 23, 2020. It was a fantastic day filled with sunshine, bright smiles, and excitement. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the children’s faces as they were given a STEAM Kit from Ford Motor Company. Parents of John R. King came through while social distancing to receive STEAM Kits for their children knowing how important it is to instill the value of learning during this new realm of learning virtually. One of our middle grade students, wanted a kit so much that her mother came by using the Checker Cab Company as a mean of transportation. It was a sight to see as the yellow cab came through the procession. On behalf of the administrators and faculty of John R. King, I want to extend our deepest gratitude and look forward to working with you again. Please extend our heartfelt thank you to Ford Motor Company. Their staff were friendly, energetic, and professional during the entire STEAM Kit distribution. Thank you for thinking of me and the students that I serve.”
