LOCKPORT, IL — A Lockport Township High School senior who helped local children start the school year with the supplies they needed is being lauded for her efforts.
Ollina Thompson came up with the idea for the community-wide movement, Hope on Their Shoulders, a few weeks before the school year started in August.
"I started Hope on Their Shoulders because I believe every child deserves to walk into the first day of school feeling excited about what’s ahead, not worried about whether they have what they need," Ollina told Patch.
Ollina said her mom "grew up without a lot," and hearing about her mom's experiences has shaped how Ollina looks at helping others.
"A backpack full of school supplies might seem like a small thing to one person, but to another child, it can mean starting the school year without having to worry about what they don’t have," she said.