BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With $100,000 donated toward filling backpacks with school supplies for students in need, volunteers at The Teacher’s Desk in Buffalo on Wednesday began getting the pencils and markers in order for an upcoming packing event at New Era Field.
All the donations were inspired by Pancho Billa, the beloved Bills fan who recently lost his battle with cancer. Billa, whose real name was Ezra Castro, wanted people to fill backpacks with school supplies, instead of bringing him flowers when he died.
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Some 40 volunteers began organizing the supplies ahead of a large planned packing even on June 10, from 2-5 p.m. at New Era Field.
With 3,500 of the finished backpacks going to El Paso, Texas, where Castro is from, the rest will be locally distributed.
If you would like to volunteer your time to help fill backpacks, send an email to volunteer@theteachersdesk.org.
