Donations to the 25th annual Operation Backpack school supply campaign will provide 9,000 filled backpacks, teacher and student supply kits to 89 schools across two counties from Edgewater to Palm Coast. The effort is bolstered by the donation of $197,850 to the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties by longtime Volusia County entrepreneur and philanthropist L. Gale Lemerand. Federation president Marvin Miller notes that his gift ranks as the largest contribution from a single donor in the organization’s history.

The annual backpack drive is among the community-oriented legacies established by Gloria Max, the longtime executive director of the Jewish Federation. She was hailed as an indefatigable advocate for children and families in need after her death two years ago at age 80 following a six-year cancer battle.

For more information or to donate, visit MightyCause.com/story/Backpacks-2023.