Nevada Guard kids getting free school supplies courtesy of Operation Homefront

Ashlyn Cruze, foreground, is ecstatic to receive school supplies during Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade campaign held Aug. 3 at the Nevada Air Guard base in Reno. Ashlyn attended the event with her father, Maj. Shaun Cruze, and brother, Seth Cruze. More than 500 northern Nevada students received school supplies during the Back-to-School Brigade campaign. NV ANG photo by Master Sgt. Suzanne Connell (released).

Students score supplies from Back-to-School Brigade

Published Aug. 15, 2013
By Master Sgt. Suzanne Connell
152AW Public Affairs

RENO --       The Nevada National Guard teamed with Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree stores to distribute school supplies to more than 500 students from military families at three northern Nevada National Guard locations on Aug. 3-4 through Operation Homefront's Back-to-School Brigade program.
     The event aimed to offset the costs of educational materials for military families, including the school-age dependents of Nevada Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Children of Wounded Warriors, active-duty and retired military personnel were also eligible to receive materials.
     Operation Homefront worked closely with Dollar Tree stores to collect and provide essential back-to-school items including backpacks, calculators, paper, pens, pencils, erasers, white-out, glue and other staples to the students. The distribution sites include the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno, the Washoe County Armory and the Joint Force Headquarters in Carson City.
     The Back-to-School Brigade was established as an expression of pride and appreciation for servicemembers' families. The backpacks and school supplies express America's gratitude to the families and help military families decrease their back-to-school expenses.
     According to a Nevada Guard official, more than 10,000 school-supply items were distributed to students during the weekend.