More than 500 Charleston Kids Receive Free Backpacks at “Backpacks for Bright Futures” Event

Today, the American Lung Association in South Carolina and partners distributed more than 500 free backpacks filled with school supplies and vape-free resources to local students and families. The Backpacks for Bright Futures event was held at James Simons Montessori School and was open to all, regardless of the student’s grade or where they attend school.

“We developed Backpacks for Bright Futures to meet two major needs of families in our community: addressing rising back-to-school costs and protecting kids from the dangers of vaping,” said Margaret Ann Youngs, development director for the Lung Association in South Carolina. “Youth vaping has become an epidemic, driven by flavors like cotton candy, stress, anxiety and curiosity because someone they know vapes. Research shows that youth who use e-cigarettes are four times more likely to try a cigarette and three times more likely to become addicted to nicotine. With this initiative, we’re giving kids and their families tools to help prevent tobacco use before it begins so they can keep their lungs healthy.”

More than 13,000 children across the state have been diagnosed with asthma, which is the leading cause of missed school days. To help educate and empower families, medical professionals provided lung health and asthma resources. Additionally, Spanish translators were on-site and Spanish-language materials were available.

Local partners also provided youth financial literacy resources, mental health resources, hygiene kits, textured hair products, vouchers for free haircuts, and more. Kyle “K’Otic” Johnson and Sing, Play & Dance with Miss Crystal provided entertainment.

Backpacks for Bright Futures was developed and launched in Charleston in 2023. The initiative was created to provide a comprehensive approach to educating students and families about the significance of lung health, particularly the hazards associated with youth vaping, while also addressing financial barriers associated with rising back-to-school costs. Last year, the Lung Association and partners distributed 250 backpacks.

The American Lung Association's Charleston team is grateful for the generous support of local sponsors, donors and partners who enabled Backpacks for Bright Futures to double its impact, including Synovus, MyNDSpace, The Lowcountry Mustang Club, Atlantic Respiratory Services, Petaloso, Walmart, Coastal Millwork & Supply LLC., Mike and Michele Seekings, MUSC, Smoke Free SC, ADAPT, James Simons Montessori School, Lowcountry Period Pixies, Ecoslay, Lowcountry Food Bank, IHOP, Charleston County Public Library, CARTA, Charleston County Parks and Keep Charleston Beautiful.