During the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 2018 National Fall Conference, volunteers filled backpacks with school supplies to benefit children at a local Title I elementary school in Tucson, Arizona. A total of 500 backpacks were filled and distributed during the event.

This build was coordinated in partnership with World Vision, a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to help them reach their full potential. World Vision does this by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice.

"AAMA remains committed to its partnership with World Vision and their mission, which continues to be an important part of AAMA's efforts to give back to the communities we visit," said Janice Yglesias, AAMA'a executive vice president. "We are thankful for our volunteers, who worked hard during this conference to help hundreds of children in the Tucson area."
 
Volunteers took the time to write and include notes of encouragement for the current academic year, tucking them into the backpacks for their new owners. AAMA member companies collectively donated $12,000 to sponsor 500 backpacks in total. The top donor organizations were Akzo Nobel Coatings, Lippert Components, MI Windows and Doors, and VELUX.

A Title I school is eligible to become a Title I Schoolwide Program when the poverty level is at or above 40 percent. Children attending Title I schools are generally in homes where incomes are under $23,000 a year.

More information about AAMA and its activities can be found on the AAMA website, https://aamanet.org.