For 13 years, attorney Mike Morse has shown up in his own parking lot with one goal: make sure every Metro Detroit kid starts the school year with a backpack full of supplies.
The 13th annual Project Backpack Giveaway, hosted by the Mike Morse Law Firm, takes place Sunday, Aug. 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at the firm’s Southfield location on Northwestern Highway. Since it began, the event has distributed more than 350,000 backpacks.
The event grew out of a simple realization. In its first year, the firm gave away 300 backpacks. The response from parents was immediate and sobering.
“I had parents calling me and teachers calling me that there was a huge need,” said Morse, founder of the Michigan-based personal injury firm. “Parents would come up to me and say, ‘I had to make a choice between a uniform and a backpack.’” The following year, Morse gave away 25,000 backpacks. He hasn’t stopped since.
Each backpack comes stuffed with school supplies - pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, notebooks and a water bottle - in the recipient’s choice of color. This year, families can choose from approximately 50 colors. Morse said the color selection matters more than people might expect.
“My kids get a new backpack every year. And some of these kids weren’t getting backpacks. And I said, if my kids get a free backpack, a new backpack every year, I want every kid to get a new backpack,” he said.
The impact of the giveaway has stretched well beyond the school year. Morse recalled a recent encounter at a local restaurant where a boy approached him unprompted.
“This little boy comes up to me and says, ‘You gave me a backpack 2 years ago.’ And he remembered and it touched him. And it sticks with him,” Morse said.
He said the ripple effects surprised him. “I’ve had people say that they went to college because of these backpacks,” Morse said.
Sunday’s event will feature live music, food, entertainment, face painting, characters and giveaways including merchandise from the firm. Michigan State Police will also be displaying vehicles and equipment. Morse plans to bring 80 of his 320 employees to volunteer.
Families are asked to pre-register at 855MikeWins.com to help organizers prepare and to allow attendees to skip the longer lines. Pre-registration also guarantees a backpack.
“The community expects it. They deserve it, they need it, and I’m happy to provide,” Morse said.
The 13th annual Project Backpack Giveaway takes place Sunday, Aug. 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Mike Morse Law Firm, 24901 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, Michigan 48075.