From Blankets to Backpacks: How Our Community Is Showing Up for Students
Dear Educate Fairfax Supporter:
As we settle into summer, I find myself reflecting on the incredible ways our community continues to show up for FCPS students.
In this issue, you'll read about middle school students honoring veterans through handmade blankets and heartfelt conversations, volunteers packing hundreds of snack bags to support students heading into summer, and the creativity of our inaugural Bookmark Art Contest winners.
You'll also learn how you can help us prepare more than 5,000 students for a strong start to the next school year through our Supplies for Success campaign and help recognize outstanding graduates through nominations for the 5th Annual FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame.
Together, these stories remind us that student success is powered by community, and we are grateful to have you as part of ours.
We encourage you to follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter), where we share the stories of our grant recipients, along with other inspiring news about what's happening to improve educational outcomes across our school division.
Warm wishes,
Dr. Lynette Henry
Executive Director
Educate Fairfax
Students Honor Veterans Through Blankets, Gratitude and Connection
On June 2, students from South County Middle School took part in a powerful tradition that teaches lessons far beyond the classroom.
As part of the school's annual Blankets for Veterans project, 55 students traveled to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. to welcome Honor Flight veterans with handmade blankets, heartfelt cards, and personal messages of appreciation.
This year, students greeted 110 veterans traveling from Arizona and Kentucky, creating meaningful moments of connection and gratitude. Each student was paired with two veterans, allowing them to engage in conversations, learn about their experiences, and personally thank them for their service.
The blankets, handmade by students throughout the school year, were accompanied by thoughtful cards and messages. Students even recorded themselves reading the card and included a QR code so veterans could access it.
Now in its eighth year, the project continues to have a lasting impact on both students and veterans. Led by educator Lisa Reaves and retired teacher Cindy Downing, Blankets for Veterans helps students develop empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of service and sacrifice.
The experience was made possible through support from Educate Fairfax and other generous community partners who believe in creating meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Through projects like Blankets for Veterans, students discover that even a simple act of kindness can make a lasting difference. For the veterans who received a blanket and a heartfelt thank-you, and for the students who learned the value of service firsthand, June 2 was a day they will not soon forget.
Click on the picture above to watch the video or click here.
School Supply Drive - Help a student start the school year ready
As summer begins, many students across Fairfax County are looking ahead to the first day of school.
For some, that means excitement and fresh supplies.
For others, it can mean uncertainty.
That’s where our community can make a difference.
Last summer, Fairfax County came together in a powerful way. Employees, families, businesses, and neighbors helped ensure that 5,000 students across 50 Title I schools started the year with the supplies they needed to feel confident and prepared.
This year, Educate Fairfax is working to do it again through the Supplies for Success campaign.
The goal is simple:
Make sure more than 5,000 FCPS students walk into school ready to learn.
The need is real. Many families are navigating rising costs and financial pressure, and something as simple as a backpack or notebook can make a meaningful difference in how a student starts the year.
Here’s how you can help before August 1:
- $15 provides a complete school supply kit for one student
- $25 adds a backpack to that kit
- Donate supplies or host a small drive with your team or department
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps a student start strong.
Donate or learn more here.
From Today's Readers to Tomorrow's Leaders: Celebrating Our Bookmark Contest Winners
Reading opens doors, sparks imagination, and helps students discover who they can become. This spring, students from across Fairfax County Public Schools brought that idea to life through the inaugural Educate Fairfax Bookmark Art Contest, themed "Today's Reader, Tomorrow's Leader."
We were amazed by the response. Hundreds of students submitted entries, and some teachers even had entire classes participate. For our very first bookmark contest, the level of creativity, enthusiasm, and participation exceeded all expectations.
The contest invited students to create original bookmark designs that reflected how reading, learning, and creativity help shape future leaders. Entries were judged on creativity, originality, connection to the theme, neatness, effort, and the ability to express big ideas in fun and meaningful ways.
Recently, Educate Fairfax had the pleasure of surprising the four winning students, one from each grade group, with a $25 gift card and recognition for their outstanding work.
Meet the Winners
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Renae, winner in the Kindergarten–Grade 2 category, shared the thought and creativity that went into her design and told us how much fun she had creating it. Her enthusiasm for the project was as bright as her artwork. |
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In the Grades 3–6 category, Juliette was completely surprised when we arrived to present her award. Her classmates were thrilled for her, and the celebration became even more special when her mother, who works at the school, was able to join in the excitement. |
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Natasha, our Middle School winner, showcased her love of drawing and creativity through her bookmark design. Her artwork beautifully reflected the contest theme and stood out among a highly competitive field of entries. |
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Our High School winner, Elizabeth, is preparing for an exciting next chapter. A graduating senior, she will attend college this fall to study art education. We were delighted to surprise her on her last day of school and were especially happy that her parents could be there to celebrate the moment with her. |
Each of these young artists demonstrated the power of imagination, creativity, and learning. Their bookmark designs serve as reminders that today's readers truly are tomorrow's leaders.
Congratulations to Renae, Juliette, Natasha, and Elizabeth. We can't wait to see where their creativity and love of learning take them next.
Community Comes Together to Pack 480 Snack Bags for FCPS Students
When we put out a call for volunteers on social media for our June 4 snack pack event, our community answered in a big way.
Students, alumni, teachers, staff, and community members came together to help support Fairfax County Public Schools students as the school year comes to a close. In just two hours, volunteers packed 400 snack bags that will provide extra food support for students and families heading into summer break.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated their time and energy to make the event a success. Seeing so many people step up to support local students was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared purpose.
We also want to extend a special thank-you to the Sewa DC Chapter of Sewa International USA, whose members packed an additional 80 snack bags during a recent meeting. Their generosity helped bring the total to 480 snack bags for FCPS students.
All 480 snack bags were delivered to schools for distribution before summer break, helping ensure students have a little extra support when they need it most.
Thank you to everyone who answered the call, shared our posts, volunteered their time, and helped make a difference for FCPS students and families. Your support continues to show that when our community comes together, great things happen.
Help Us Celebrate Outstanding FCPS Alumni
For more than 150 years, Fairfax County Public Schools has prepared students to succeed in every path they choose. Today, FCPS alumni are making an impact around the world as leaders in government, business, the arts, science and technology, education, community service, and countless other fields.
Now is your opportunity to help recognize those individuals whose achievements reflect the power of public education.
Educate Fairfax is accepting nominations for the 5th Annual FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame, which honors distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in their professions, communities, and beyond. Whether they graduated in the 1950s, the 1980s, or more recently, we are looking for alumni whose accomplishments inspire others and embody the values of leadership, service, and excellence.
Nominees must have graduated from high school at least five years ago and demonstrated notable achievements, leadership, and positive contributions to society. Hall of Fame inductees represent the very best of the FCPS alumni community and serve as examples for current and future students.
Do you know an FCPS graduate who has made a lasting impact?
Nominations are open through Aug. 31, 2026.
Help us celebrate the remarkable individuals who continue to strengthen our communities and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Submit a nomination today.
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