Thanks to the generosity of Boeing employees, thousands of students are starting school with the tools and supplies they need to succeed.

The enterprisewide back-to-school drive Liftoff for Learning raised nearly $360,000 this year — a 28 percent increase over last year. As part of the Boeing Gift Match program, the company is contributing $128,000 of that total. Funds are benefitting more than 32 education-focused nonprofits and school districts across the country. 

Many sites created friendly competitions to encourage participation; others held packing events where employees could help fill backpacks with school supplies. Throughout the drive employees volunteered more than 1,400 hours at 53 events.

Read the testimonials below from a few of the nonprofit partners and view the photos above to see the impact of Liftoff for Learning.

“Every child at Save the Family was able to go home with a brand new backpack, including a few college-bound students! This was all thanks to the community who helped us in donating items and volunteering their time to make sure this event went off without a hitch.” – Save the Family; Mesa, Arizona

“Thanks for joining Schoolhouse Supplies in the belief that every child deserves the tools to learn and achieve.” – Allyson Field, Schoolhouse Supplies; Portland, Oregon

“The employees of Boeing, with the Liftoff for Learning program, have made STEM dreams a reality for students in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Through a partnership with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, we have placed state-of-the-art STEM Centers in each of the 33 Oklahoma City Public Schools elementary schools. Boeing employees rose to the occasion and stepped in to support Willow Brook Elementary students, which will make lasting change for these kids as they have early and consistent exposure to hands on STEM learning.” – Mary Mélon, President/CEO of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools

“A new kindergarten students was crying because she did not have a new backpack. Mom said she would need to use a paper bag for her supplies. All the child had was a used pencil and 4 or 5 crayons. She was delighted to pick out a backpack and supplies.” – Donna Cloud, Highland Park Elementary principal; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma