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Getting kids off to a good start

An editorial  —  8/26/2008 7:06 am

Hats off once again to the 100 Black Men of Madison.

For the 12th straight year, the local organization held its annual back-to-school picnic at Demetral Field on the east side and distributed hundreds of free backpacks to get local children off on the right foot as school begins next week.

In those 12 years, 100 Black Men of Madison has given away more than 14,000 backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils and other school supplies.

This year 1,600 youngsters received the packs, unfortunately down from the 2,000 the organization was able to give away last year.

Al Studesville, one of the original organizers of the backpack picnic, said that was due to the downturn in the economy. Studesville's group had to work harder than ever to get sponsors for the event and fell short of what was needed.

Consequently, some youngsters didn't receive a backpack this year, although everyone got to enjoy the free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and pop that are all part of the annual affair.

In addition, about 10 UW Badger football players showed up to visit with the students and sign some autographs. Among the players who volunteered their time were Elijah Hodge, David Gilreath, Zach Brown, Kyle Jefferson and Aubrey Pleasant.

They all deserve the community's thanks too.

The 100 Black Men of Madison's picnic has become a positive way for hundreds of local young people to begin another year of school.

Let's hope that next year more sponsors can step forward to help the organization provide a backpack to all the children who show up.

An editorial  —  8/26/2008 7:06 am