Members Give Assist to Black Lives United's "Back to School" Backpack Drive

For the second consecutive year, the grassroots Green Bay community organizing group Black Lives United (BLU) organized a “Back to School” drive to help families in the area struggling to pay for school supplies. The effort took place across the month of August, and it all culminated in a “drop-off” day event on Sunday, August 20. People from across Green Bay dropped off backpacks, school supplies, and donations at the residence of UWGB-United member Jon Shelton. BLU also hosted a conversation about race and racism on drop-off day. Four UWGB-United members — Patricia Terry, Jon Shelton, Andrew Austin, and Adam Gaines — were there and others (including Mike Draney and Linda Briggs-Dineen) donated to the cause, too. Altogether, BLU collected thirty backpacks filled with supplies and another $850 in donations to buy more!

Union President Andrew Austin and Secretary Patricia Terry
engage in a conversation about race and racism with
BLU leader Stephanie Ortiz and UWGB student Ibrahim Budul.