Grammy award winning Singer-Songwriter Ciara speaks to youth about the importance of education.

The back to school countdown is on! Grammy award winning recording artist Ciara, along with Staples, Inc. and Do Something 101, joined forces this summer to collect school supplies to benefit low-income youth. On, Tuesday, August 04, 2009, celebrities and Do Something volunteers gathered at The Children’s Aid Society’s Dunlevy Milbank Boys & Girls Club to stuff 5,000 back packs to the brim with school supplies donated by Staples. Ciara was joined by Chaske Spencer of the Twilight movie saga and singer/actress Leah Renee.

Do Something 101 volunteers stuff backpacks with school supplies for youth.

Joel Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education also dropped in to lend a hand with the tons of paper, pencils and highlighters. Ciara encouraged members of the Dunlevy Milbank Summer Day Camp to focus on their education and not worry about having the latest fashions or hairstyles. “Life is what you make it…you create your destiny”, said Ciara advising the youth to give their all at school this year. She added that now they should have everything they need for a successful start to the school year.

Images courtesy of Giany Mejia

Tags: Chaske Spencer, Children's Aid New York City, Ciara, department of education, Do Something 101, Dunlevy Milbank Center, Joel Klein, Leah Renee, Staples Inc., Twilight