By Mary O’KEEFE

On Saturday, the Crescenta-Cañada Lions Club held its annual backpack/suitcase collection drive, Kases for Kids, at the Ralphs Marketplace parking lot in La Crescenta.

Backpacks may be something taken for granted by some kids; it is just something that every kid seems to have on their back, full of books on their way to school. But for some a backpack represents so much more.

For children in the foster care system a backpack brings a little dignity to a very difficult time. When a child is taken into the system it can be very emotional and confusing. At times the children have very little time to pack and are given a plastic garbage bag as a suitcase. The Lions Club gives those children a backpack that has room for their own clothing but also includes toiletries. It gives these kids something to hang on to, something to call their own.

The club does not have the exact number of backpacks collected but according to William Stadler, president of CC Lions Club, this was the best year ever with the most bags collected.

  Mary Okeefe