Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas is extremely grateful for DC-homegrown, NFL Defensive End, Yannick Ngakoue for giving back to Prince George’s County’s low-income families through Operation Backpack®! On Saturday, July 25th, Yannick donated over 20 laptop computers to underprivileged students in our Maryland-based supportive housing programs. The former Maryland University Terrapin is challenging others to do the same by donating to https://www.voachesapeake.org/backpack.

As someone who grew up with humble beginnings in a single-parent family in the Washington, D.C. area, Yannick is well-acquainted with the barriers to education that many underprivileged children face due to homelessness, financial instability and the stress these things cause. Knowing that low-income kids are also struggling with the unique challenge of navigating school during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yannick sought to make a difference.

On Saturday, July 25, Yannick surprised the kids at our Eastern Avenue supportive housing program in Seat Pleasant, MD by personally delivering the laptops he had funded. To watch Yannick share in his own words what it means to support these children in need through Operation Backpack®, click here.

The children and their parents were thrilled to receive Yannick’s generous gift. Watch two of our 10th and 8th graders, Aryus and his sister Amari share what it means to them to receive these laptops by clicking here.

Thanks to Yannick’s support, we are poised to exceed our 2020 Operation Backpack® goal to raise $25,000 for children in need. You can be a hero like Yannick, by donating between now and the end of August at https://www.voachesapeake.org/backpack.