There are about 6,000 children in the West Virginia foster care system. Two of them were fortunate to be adopted by Wesley and Martha Richardson. Not only did they welcome two new family members, but they were inspired to help other children in foster care. 

 

When Richardson, managing partner with Northwestern Mutual in Charleston, became part of this year's Leadership West Virginia, he told class members about The Backpack Project. 

 

And they hit the ground running with it. 

 

Wednesday afternoon, several members of Leadership WV met at The Thrasher Group in White Oaks to fill backpacks with everything from electronics and personal care items to blankets and chewing gum. The filled packs, all personalized with recipients' names, will be distributed to 68 Harrison County teens in foster care. 

 

"Teenage foster kids are tough to place. They can bounce around from place to place," Richardson said. "The whole idea behind this is now they have a bag with their name on it; something they can call their own. The stuff that goes inside is just a bonus."

 

In assembly line style, members of Leadership West Virginia unzipped compartments of the backpacks and filled each with Amazon Fire Tablets, wrist watches, ear buds, water bottles, toiletry kits, pens and pencils with one of the items purchased with funds raised over recent weeks by class members. Money was donated by companies for whom members work and are associated, as well as individual donations. 

 

"In 45 days, basically, we initiated this project and raised over $25,000," said Clay Riley of The Thrasher Group and part of this year's Leadership WV class. "It took a lot of effort; people pulling together and everyone really came through. It was a project well coordinated and well executed." 

 

Each year, Leadership WV chooses a service project; something that benefits individuals around the state. The Backpack Project was ideal, Riley said. 

 

Leadership WV member Alex Reneman agreed. 

 

"It fills a huge need - a growing need - and it's also something sustainable," said Reneman of Mountain Leverage in Grafton. "That was part of our goal, to do something that would make a big impact, but that is also sustainable."

 

The project also gives kids a sense of empowerment and identity, said Kerri McDaniel of Arch Coal in Philippi, part of this year's Leadership WV. 

 

Citynet Senior Vice President Drew Pomeroy said Richardson's story was very compelling - and motivating. It made him and his class members think about these kids' backgrounds, experiences they have encountered leading up to their adoptable status - and the issues they carry with them wherever they go. 

 

Now they will have something positive to carry with them also, he said. Pomeroy offered accolades to his fellow Leadership WV class members.

 

"It's really neat how these guys rallied together and raised this much money," he said. "This is a great project."

 

The project will continue. Enough money was raised to fill and distribute additional backpacks, Riley said.

 

Leadership WV is an innovative program that grows, engages and mobilizes leaders to ignite a lifelong passion to move West Virginia forward. With over 1,200 graduates, the group consists of across section of West Virginians - all of whom are engaged in a variety of sectors and at various levels inventing a bright future for the Mountain State. There are 57 members in this year's class. 

 

For more information on The Backpack Project, visit www.backpacksforwv.com.

 

For more information on Leadership WV and to meet this year's class, visit www.leadershipwv.org.