For years, the Ulster County Board of REALTORS® Community Services Committee has provided critical community service through its annual Operation Backpack® program, and 2021 was no different. With many students across the region returning to school in person for the first time in nearly a year or longer, there was definitely the need for the Operation Backpack program. Focused on organizing throughout Ulster County to collect backpacks, books, writing utensils, and other school supplies for the region’s homeless youth population.

Operation Backpack® relies 100% on support from the community and, each year provides new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies to homeless children throughout the county. This year there was an overwhelming amount of support and donations. Ulster County Board of REALTORS® received over 350 backpacks and school supplies for children in need, and they have been distributed throughout the county in time for back-to-school. Donations were received from Sawyer Savings, Wells Fargo, as well as multiple REALTORS® across the region, alongside members of the public in an outpouring of support. 

The strong sense of community support is just another great reason to call Ulster County home. Fostering a sense of acceptance and togetherness, Ulster County is a great place to call home and the Ulster County Board of REALTORS® is proud to be a part of it all. Our Community Services Committee is committed to more than just Operation Backpack, as we focus on helping those in need and fostering clean and green communities throughout the region. Some of our additional efforts include providing ongoing contributions of food, personal hygiene items, warm clothes, and other critical goods to local support agencies. We work with the Ulster County Warming Shelter, the Homeless Transitional Center at the Clinton Avenue Methodist Church, Community Action of Ulster County, Ulster County Literacy, and the Woodstock-area Meals on Wheels program. 

We also focus on hosting holiday parties and events for our community’s elderly, honoring our veterans through contributions to Patriots Place and other great programs. And our outreach also includes a focus on nature, leading the REALTORS® for Clean Trails Project where we help clean and maintain the vast network of Ulster County trails for our community members to enjoy. 

To learn more about our connection to the community and commitment to supporting Ulster County, read more on our website here. If you’re considering moving to Ulster County, we’re here to help! From navigating the listing process to finding your new home, UCBR is a leader in the Hudson Valley. Find out more about Ulster County Board of REALTORS® and the benefits of working with a REALTOR® on our website, and contact us today to get started!