Boeing’s Liftoff for Learning School Supply Drive

Bernice Billups, a dedicated leader at Boeing, takes pride in her role within the community. Her commitment was evident during a recent school supply event, where she explained the personal value of these initiatives. As she interacted with young beneficiaries, like a girl who thanked her with a handshake and a smile, she remarked, “This handshake and hug, you can’t pay for that.”

During the Boeing Liftoff for Learning event, Aspire Academy student Ar’Nia created a drawing next to her new backpack filled with supplies. This event took place at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana Tolleston Opportunity Campus in Gary, Indiana. These giveaways are part of Boeing’s employee-led community program, which ensures students have essential tools to begin the school year prepared.

Billups, tasked with strategy and advocacy for Boeing in the central region, enjoys annual visits to Gary’s John Will Anderson Boys & Girls Club. With 25 years at Boeing, she considers this program the pinnacle of her work. She explained that Liftoff for Learning is a yearly drive where employees contribute, with Boeing matching donations. This year’s drive provided over 750 children in Gary and Chicago with supplies like notebooks, crayons, and backpacks.

Boeing has conducted such drives for over four decades, supporting communities near their bases by offering resources to students. Billups reflected on the impact of August’s derecho, which caused significant hardship in Gary, emphasizing the warmth brought by helping those in need.

The Tolleston Opportunity Campus, hosting the club, includes a YMCA and a Methodist Hospitals clinic. Billups praised the enhancements to the Boys & Girls Club for its positive environment, featuring a Boeing STEM lab.

Recipients like 13-year-old Sharaya expressed deep gratitude, sharing personal challenges such as a stolen backpack. Her ambitions of joining a university with Alpha Kappa Alpha and her mother’s aims to open a childcare center underscore the club’s positive influence. Another recipient, Lamiah, 13, aspires to be a hairstylist and highlighted the widespread need for these supplies.

J’Priest, 7, shared his enthusiasm for school, especially recess, while Sara Velasques, a Boeing employee hailing from Gary, noted the significance of the initiative. She observed the positivity and excitement it brings to both children and donors.

Mike Jessen, leading the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, emphasized the importance of community support, inviting contributions of time, skills, or resources. Ultimately, fostering love and encouragement for the kids is the goal.

Doug Ross contributed this report for the Post-Tribune.