Back to school kits assembled for local military families

BENNINGTON — Several organizations came together at the Walmart Supercenter on Southeast 192nd Avenue on Aug. 23 to assemble 200 back-to-school kits for approximately 100 military families in Clark County. Volunteers from the Community Military Appreciation Committee, with help from Walmart and 100 Men Clark County, worked together to fill backpacks with pens, pencils, notebooks and other items. Sen. Lynda Wilson, Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Washougal Deputy Mayor Ray Kutch and Clark County Councilor Gary Medvigy helped volunteers stuff backpacks with supplies, which were purchased with a $11,500 grant from 100 Men Clark County, while Walmart supplied the space and an additional $1,000. Service members deployed or scheduled for deployment in Clark County can receive the kits at the Vancouver Armed Forces Reserve or the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center. “Being able to help out Clark County military kids for back to school is an important way for us to show our appreciation for our service members,” 100 Men Clark County Board Chair Eric Sawyer said in a news release.