Southern Security Helps Provide 650 Backpacks for Youth Villages Children Ahead of New School Year

Southern Security Credit Union helped provide 650 backpacks filled with school supplies for children served by Youth Villages through its support of the 2026 Backpack Heroes campaign. On July 23, Southern Security employees gathered at Youth Villages to fill the backpacks, capping off a month-long campaign that included collecting school supply donations at Southern Security branch locations throughout the Mid-South.

The 650 backpacks will help children and families served by Youth Villages begin the school year with the essential supplies needed for success. Many of these children have experienced trauma or face emotional and behavioral challenges, making community support especially meaningful as they prepare to return to the classroom.

“Education opens doors to opportunity, and something as simple as a backpack filled with school supplies can help a child walk into the classroom with confidence,” said Dawn Graeter, CEO of Southern Security Credit Union. “We’re grateful to our members, employees and community partners who supported this year’s Backpack Heroes campaign. Together, we’re helping children start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.”

Southern Security employees volunteered at Youth Villages on July 23, packing the backpacks with notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, glue sticks and other classroom essentials collected during the month-long campaign.

“We are so thankful to Southern Security for its support of collecting school supplies and providing backpacks and supply bags for our Backpack Heroes campaign. A new backpack full of school supplies can have a profound impact on a child’s learning experience,” said Richard Shaw, Chief Development Officer for Youth Villages.

The annual Backpack Heroes campaign, sponsored by Southern Security Credit Union, provides backpacks and school supplies to children and families served by Youth Villages. Youth Villages is a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, helping tens of thousands of children, families and young people across the United States each year through evidence-based programs and services.

Supporting Backpack Heroes is one of many ways Southern Security invests in the communities it serves through volunteerism, charitable giving and partnerships that make a meaningful local impact.

IMAGES:

Southern Security Credit Union employees stand with 650 backpacks filled with school supplies for the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

Dawn Graeter, CEO of Southern Security Credit Union, packs a backpack for the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

Southern Security Credit Union employees pack backpacks for the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

Chris Evans, Executive Vice President of Southern Security Credit Union, stacks filled backpacks for the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

Marcus Beecham, Mortgage Loan Originator at Southern Security Credit Union, and Christina Wiatr, Chief Administrative Officer of Southern Security Credit Union, pack backpacks for the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

Taylyn Hill, Event and Brand Coordinator at Southern Security Credit Union, and Terry Baker, Chief Lending Officer of Southern Security Credit Union, display a backpack filled with school supplies for the Youth Villages Backpack Heroes Campaign.

About Southern Security Credit Union
Southern Security is a not-for-profit financial cooperative whose mission is to help its members by providing savings and lending options and convenient financial services. Founded in 1948, Southern Security serves more than 23,000 members and nearly 500 partner businesses and organizations across the Mid-South. Southern Security is federally insured by NCUA.

Please visit https://www.southernsecurity.org for more information.