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The SADD – Students Against Drunk Driving -- club at Western High School will host a Back-to-School night in August as a Raising HOPE Community Event. In preparation for that effort, the club will host a backpack collection at the Western boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball games taking place Sat., Jan. 10.

The goal of the collection night is to accept 100 backpacks, which will be distributed to students in August. Depending on the success of this collection, there may be an additional opportunity to donate backpacks in the spring. SADD also plans on holding collection drives for various school supplies to be placed in the backpacks later in the spring.

Those attending the basketball games are asked to participate in this backpack collection to aid students at Western for the 2026-27 school year, removing a financial barrier that can impact educational attainment. SADD’s goal of 100 backpacks would ensure 25 backpacks given away at each of Western’s four school buildings.