Measured Progress Joins Citizens Bank, PlusTime NH, WZID to Provide Students with "Gear for Grades" 

Measured Progress will join representatives of Citizens Bank on Monday, August 24 at 9 a.m. at the Seymour Osman Community Center to help distribute backpacks in support of the fourth annual "Gear for Grades" program. The initiative's aim is to prepare New Hampshire students facing financial challenges for a successful 2009-2010 school year. 

Citizens Bank, in partnership with PlusTime NH, invited the public to donate school supplies this summer in support of the program. Measured Progress donated 3,000 spiral notebooks so that each child would have at least one notebook in his or her backpack. 

The Osman Center is just one of several locations across the state where children will receive the supplies they need for a successful back-to-school start. Measured Progress's donation of spiral notebooks will be distributed, along with donated pencils, glue, scissors, and other supplies in new backpacks throughout New Hampshire. 

Measured Progress's Charitable Contributions Committee was thrilled to contribute to the effort. 

"Our mission is to improve teaching and learning," said Candace McCloy, Measured Progress's vice president of Human Resources. "The ‘Gear for Grades' project is a natural extension of our mission and one that we are happy to support." 

Cathy Schmidt, president of Citizens Bank for New Hampshire, said the bank is proud to continue an effort that began in 2006. 

"Citizens Bank is proud to partner with PlusTime NH and WZID 95.7 for the fourth consecutive year to help children across the state return to school with the supplies they need for another year of learning," said Schmidt. "Gear for Grades has been an overwhelming success, providing more than 12,000 backpacks filled with new school supplies to youth in our communities since 2006."

PlusTime NH is a statewide, non-profit organization whose mission is to make it possible for all youth to participate in quality, out-of-school-time programs. PlusTime NH helps communities identify youth needs and mobilize resources to develop and sustain these programs.

Krysten Maddocks