A massive Quad-City effort called the First Day Project, designed to provide young children with new school supplies, got underway Saturday, and one very active site was Bethany Baptist Church in Moline.

Dozens of volunteers — from four different Baptist churches around the Quad-Cities — united to stuff 300 backpacks that will be distributed to children at Maple Ridge Apartments in Rock Island.

Illinois letter carriers also fanned out across Rock Island County, including Coal Valley, East Moline, Hampton, Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, plus Colona.

The turnout at Bethany Baptist surprised project coordinator Penny Hewitt. “There is overwhelming support for this effort,” she said.

The “little things” in life can be a big help to families in tight situations, she added. Hewitt also appreciates the fact that the project begins by helping children, noting that those youngsters might grow up to be more caring adults.

As a child, Hewitt said she got help when she needed it, and now she’s an adult with a passion for helping others. 

Charles Haben of Moline brought his 6-year-old daughter Grace to the event. The Habens had shopped together for the needed supplies, and Grace was one of several children helping to assemble the backpacks.

Marian Erickson, a prayer leader at Bethany, offered a few words on behalf of the project. Her message, she said, was the hope that the children who receive the backpacks will be open to the words and love of Jesus Christ. Bethany’s backpacks contained a small Bible as well as a Christian video message.

The other Baptist churches taking part in the effort at Bethany were Pleasant View, Bettendorf; Grandview, Davenport, and Cornerstone, Eldridge.

U.S. Postal Service letter carriers found success in collecting school supplies Saturday. Jeff Hennes, who delivers mail in Rock Island, collected enough supplies for an estimated 150 children.

“That’s a good haul, and we get a little more every year,” he said.