Inspired to give: Troop Support employees donate school supplies

For the third year in a row, the generosity of the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support workforce was on full display in support of the Fill-A-Backpack school supply drive held during the months of July and August.

The drive, a part of the Innovative Success and Partnership in Reaching Excellence program's community service aspect, resulted in the collection of donated 6,470 items, surpassing the program's goal of 3,000.

"The generosity of the workforce never ceases to amaze me," said Joanne Anello, DLA Troop Support Organization Development division chief and InSPIRE program manager.

Anello also credits DLA Philadelphia tenant organizations who contributed to the success of the drive as well.

"DLA Aviation brought over 15 boxes of supplies and backpacks they collected, and DLA Contracting Service Office collected a full bin," she said.

InSPIRE participants were responsible for monitoring donations in their respective areas and taking inventory of all the items collected.

"It was important for me to participate because we can sometimes take for granted that not everyone is able to afford all the basic necessities," said Pamela Costello, a clothing designer in the Clothing and Textiles supply chain.

The collected items were donated to Cradles to Crayons, a local non-profit organization and will be distributed to children in Philadelphia, Camden, New Jersey and Delaware.

"It's a good reminder that even a small deed can have a large impact on someone else," Costello said. "When a larger group participates in something like this, the impact potential is greater than you realize."