Courtesy Photo Water Wonderland Board of Realtors recently donated 85 new backpacks to the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena. Pictured above in the back row are Jeannie Rizzardi, executive director of Waterland Board of Realtors, and Bradley Somers, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, surrounded by Boys and Girls Club members and the donated backpacks.

ALPENA — Thanks to the support from the Water Wonderland Board of Realtors, 85 youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena received brand new backpacks filled with snacks and school supplies.

The Water Wonderland Board of Realtors consists of over 450 members and serves nine area counties: Alpena, Montmorency, Alcona, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon and Oscoda. These members include Realtors, appraisers, title companies, financial institutions, and many more.

All areas made backpack, school supply and snack donations to help impact the youth and help get the school year started off right. This is the fifth year the Boys and Girls Club and Water Wonderland Board of Realtors have partnered to provide youth with this opportunity to start the school year and alleviate the pressure put on parents.

“Parents in the community look forward to this event each year, and because of the generosity of the Water Wonderland Board of Realtors and all the amazing people involved, we can help more families find important resources,” said Bradley Somers, Boys and Girls Club of Alpena executive director.

This consumer outreach partnership has continued to grow each year.

“Members want to help with school. It’s been a tough two years, and each member selflessly steps up to help meet the needs of the community,” said Jeannie Rizzardi, executive director of Water Wonderland Board of Realtors.

“The time and effort that Jeannie and each partnering agency puts into these donations are incredible,” Somers added. “It’s not just a backpack with snacks and school supplies these children are receiving; it’s also the understanding that others in the community took the time to do something special for them and support their academic endeavors. This is a crucial element for each youth’s development and I cannot thank all those involved enough for everything they do.”