September 11, 2009
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
The Steelers weren't the only ones who kicked things off this week. School students were also back in action in Pittsburgh and it was all about the new school year for quarterback Charlie Batch.
Batch once again hosted "BatchPacks For Kids" through his Best of the Batch Foundation and National Council of Jewish Women, distributing a backpack and school supplies to every student at his former school, Barrett Elementary School in Homestead, Pa.
"A lot of them don't have an opportunity to get the supplies themselves," said Batch. "This is a way for us to get them everything they need for school and don't give them any excuse as to why they can't succeed."
The students were presented the backpacks by Batch and some of his teammates, including LaMarr Woodley, Dennis Dixon, Lawrence Timmons and Arnold Harrison, with each backpack geared toward supplies for their age group. Many of the kids would not have been able to obtain the backpacks and many of the supplies without the help from Batch.
"A lot of people assume everyone can have these things," said Batch. "In reality it's not the case. We try to supply the whole school and give every kid an opportunity to have a backpack. It's our chance to do our part.
Read! 365, a program of Beginning with Books, also donated books to give every student, in addition to donations from area businesses.
"I was once one of them," said Batch. "I know exactly what they are going through. Being in a position to be able to help is a blessing. Being around the kids and supplying them with everything they need for school is great. It's an exciting time of year."
The event was also an opportunity for the kids to give back. All of the students were asked to donate their old backpacks to help other kids who are in need.
