LTHS Senior's Community-Wide Project Collects Hundreds Of Backpacks

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.

Residents, churches, schools, businesses, community organizations and elected officials helped to collect backpacks and school supplies for children in the community.

"I wanted to give kids in my community more than just a backpack. I wanted them to feel prepared, supported, and, most importantly, know that people cared about them," Ollina said.

Ollina, who is a high honor roll student at LTHS, participates in Varsity Open Color Guard, marching band and choir. Her aspirations of becoming an elementary school teacher also guided her decision in creating Hope on Their Shoulders.

"I want kids to know that their circumstances don’t define what they can become," Ollina said.

When coming up with her idea, she said created social media posts, walked into local businesses asking for support, and tried to get more people involved.

"Honestly, it was scary sometimes. You have to be willing to hear 'no,' and you have to be willing to walk into a business and explain why something you care about should matter to someone else, but I kept asking because I believed in what I was doing," the LTHS senior said. "And then something amazing happened: people started saying yes."

In less than a month, Ollina said the community collected 273 backpacks and more than 3,500 donated school items.

"Even now, saying that number feels unreal because when I started, I didn’t know if anyone would care," Ollina said. "I didn't know if businesses would say yes, I didn't know if people would donate, and I didn’t know how many backpacks we would collect. I just knew I wanted to try."

Ollina was able to distribute the collect supplies through community events with State Representative Dee Avelar.

"Before that, I saw boxes, numbers, and piles of school supplies covering our house, but at those events, I saw the reason behind all of it," Ollina said. "I saw kids choosing backpacks and getting excited about their school supplies, and I saw the smiles and excitement about starting a new school year."

State Rep. Avelar also recognized Ollina's contributions during one of the events.

"Being recognized was an incredible feeling, but what meant even more to me was realizing that something I started as a 17-year-old high school student was actually reaching people and making a difference," Ollina told Patch. "This experience taught me something I don’t think I’ll ever forget: you don’t have to wait until you’re older to make a difference. You don’t need a huge organization, thousands of followers, or to have everything figured out. Sometimes, all you need is an idea and the courage to start."

Ollina said she wants to continue Hope on Their Shoulders, and that people still wanted to donate once the events were over.

"I would love to work with community liaisons, schools, and outreach programs so that when they know of a child who needs support, Hope on Their Shoulders can hopefully be there," she said.

Ollina has hopes of continuing her movement, and also helping kids gain confidence and the knowledge that they aren't alone and that their community is behind them.

"And maybe most importantly, I learned that one person really can make a difference when they are willing to take the first step," Ollina said. "I started with an idea. My community turned it into hope. And now, I hope Hope on Their Shoulders can continue carrying that hope forward—one child, one backpack, and one act of kindness at a time."