An 18-year-old Oklahoma boy named Reed Marcum spent his Saturday igniting school spirit by giving away 6,000 book bags stuffed with school supplies.
It was his ninth annual Back-to-School Book Bag Giveaway, which has distributed more than 33,000 backpacks and $1.3 million in school supplies to students and families from Reed’s hometown and beyond.
“I want to help kids get their school year started right,” said Reed, who is a rising sophomore at Oklahoma State University. “We have been distributing book bags and school supplies for nine years now and each time it is so fulfilling to know we are playing a small part in getting kids excited about their education.”
Reed was inspired by his longtime membership in 4-H, whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential to become true leaders.”
As a national winner, Marcum received a $5,000 higher education scholarship.