Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana seeks community support to fill backpacks to help students reach their full potential

Written By Alicia Vial

Operation Backpack® is aimed at providing backpacks, school supplies and optimism to children ahead of their first day of school.

NEW ORLEANS — Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA) has launched Operation Backpack®, an annual initiative to fill the gap for children and families in need. Across Southeast Louisiana, the VOASELA team and community partners collect and distribute backpacks and other essential school supplies to low-income families. Sponsored by Atmos Energy and the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR), VOASELA’s goal is to provide as many fully stocked backpacks as possible to students before the start of the school year. VOASELA is calling on the community to help reach that goal by July 24.

Community members are encouraged to pick up a few extra school supplies during their next shopping trip. Donations of notebooks, pencils, folders, binders and other classroom essentials will help ensure local students have the tools they need to succeed. Supplies may be dropped off at any of the following Operation Backpack® collection sites.

  • All Jefferson Parish Libraries ‍

  • NOMAR Metairie

  • NOMAR Mandeville

  • VOASELA Central Office

“We have an opportunity to make a real difference for local students, but we can’t do it alone,” said Voris Vigee, VOASELA President & CEO. “Providing students with the school supplies they need helps level the playing field and gives every child an equal opportunity to succeed academically. A simple act of kindness can ensure students start the school year with the tools and confidence they need to learn.”

Operation Backpack® has been an initiative of Volunteers of America since 2009. It is known that students who have the necessary supplies, such as pencils, notebooks and backpacks, are better prepared to engage in classroom activities and complete assignments. Without these supplies, children may struggle to keep up with their peers and may experience stress and anxiety that can negatively impact their academic performance. Furthermore, students who lack appropriate school supplies may feel embarrassed or ashamed, which can affect their self-esteem and motivation to succeed.

If community members are unable to shop in person or drop off items, please consider shopping VOASELA’s Amazon Wish List. School supplies purchased will ship directly to VOASELA’s office ahead of the first day of school.

For more information about Operation Backpack®, visit voasela.org/operationbackpack/.

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About VOASELA:
For 130 years, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has empowered and uplifted individuals including veterans, at-risk youth, low-income seniors, men, and women returning home after incarceration, homeless individuals and families, persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families in need of affordable housing, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart, and the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Visit www.voasela.org for more information.

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana is part of Volunteers of America which is one of the nation’s oldest and largest comprehensive human services organizations with 16,000 paid professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has affiliates in over 400 communities in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and serves more than 1.5 million people a year.

For more information about Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, visit www.voasela.org

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Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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