GILBERT, AZ (AZFamily) – Several great programs are helping Valley families ease the financial burden as their children return to school.

That includes Gilbert Fire & Rescue’s “Shop With a Firefighter” event, which wouldn’t be possible without Whitney Connor, a 12th-grader at Perry High School and founder of the nonprofit organization Bands 4 Backpacks, which raises money for the program.

Connor raised $3,000 to support Gilbert Fire & Rescue’s back-to-school program, and this week she was honored by Gilbert Fire Chief Rob Duggan, who presented her with a Citizen’s Award for her efforts.

How does the program work? 55 children from various public schools in Gilbert are nominated by counselors and social workers. The money is then used to purchase gift cards that are given to the children so they can shop with firefighters at a local Kohl’s this weekend.

Great work, Whitney!

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