Roxy Rovin, a seventh-grader at Gorham Middle School (GMS), is working with the Gorham BackPack Program and Maine Teacher of the Year, Heather Whitaker, to create Birthday Bags.

These bags will be given out throughout the year, in addition to the normal BackPack Program, on a student’s birthday. Rovin decided to do this project as part of her Bat Mitzvah studies and wants to make sure that “all kids who are part of the BackPack Program not only have food throughout the year but can have a special treat to celebrate their birthday, knowing that this may be a hardship for some families.”

Rovin’s initial goal is to fill 100 bags, however, this is not possible without donations. Suggested items include: blank birthday cards, cake mix, boxes of birthday candles, sprinkles, frosting/icing, disposable cake pans, tissue paper, birthday banners or streamers, packs of birthday hats, medium-sized gift bags, and small gifts (such as coloring books with crayons, slime or putty, $5 gift cards to Target or Five Below).

Monetary donations are also welcomed, with checks being made out to: Gorham School Department, 75 South Street, Gorham, Maine 04038 and “Birthday Bags for Backpack Program” in the memo line. Donations can be brought to the middle school through March 31.