2006

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, September 6, 2006
CONTACT: Alita Dueringer
(716) 942-9960 ext. 438

NYSERDA PROVIDES BACKPACKS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS

West Valley, New York -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), with help from its employees at the Ashford Office Complex and its corporate offices in Albany, New York, provided 34 backpacks filled with school supplies to the West Valley Elementary School in West Valley. In addition, eight backpacks and monies for art supplies were provided to The League for the Handicapped Inc., Preschool Learning Center in Springville.

Local businesses also joined NYSERDA in this year's backpack drive. Both Walmart and Tops in Springville provided some of the much needed supplies, while monetary donations were received from the West Valley Chamber of Commerce, West Valley Teachers' Association and West Valley Hardware & Supply Inc.

NYSERDA has sponsored an annual backpack drive for the past nine years. During that time frame, various schools in counties throughout the state have benefitted from the drive. This year, the West Valley Central School was selected to be the recipient of NYSERDA's backpack drive and the West Valley office coordinated the efforts. Due to the overwhelming generosity of all involved, NYSERDA was able to reach out to The League for the Handicapped, Preschool Learning Center.

Peter R. Smith, President and CEO of NYSERDA said, "I am very proud of NYSERDA employees and the daily work effort they put forth. Equally as important, I am proud of their commitment to the communities across New York State. Every year, NYSERDA employees give their time and financial support to various causes, including the annual backpack drive. This year, we are pleased to have worked with various groups in the West Valley area and to have been able to provide backpacks to students at the two schools."

"We're so appreciative of the support that NYSERDA and the West Valley Teacher's Association provided in donating these backpacks filled with school supplies," said Bonnie Smith, Principal of West Valley Elementary School. "This will help 34 of our students hit the ground running when school begins." And Chris Lewis, Director of the League for the Handicapped, Preschool Learning Center commented, "We are thrilled to be able to give these backpacks to the kids that are in most need at our school."

NYSERDA would like to thank all who participated in this year's event to make it so successful.

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