Veronica Hilghman, an administrative assistant in Montgomery County’s Office of Children and Youth, showcases a backpack on Aug. 18, 2025 that will go to a Montgomery County resident through the annual Back-to-School Drive. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
Results from an annual Back-to-School drive revealed more than 2,800 Montgomery County students were better equipped with the right tools to start the 2025-26 school year.
A Montgomery County spokesperson said Tuesday the “record breaking” collection of 23,344 items, including 925 pre-filled backpacks, were given to around 2,816 children. The 2024 donation cycle generated 11,000 items for more than 100 people.
“I remember how much I loved getting my back-to-school stuff together, and getting it ready, and I feel like it’s important that a child goes in and feels like they’re ready,” Veronica Hilghman, an administrative assistant with the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth, told MediaNews Group last month.
Organized by Hilghman, the annual Back-to-School Drive has become a tradition in county social services over the past two decades. Launched in July 2025, a county spokesperson noted “significant growth” this year with respect to digital donations.
The drive’s online component publicized an Amazon wish list for those wishing to help virtually. “Donations via Amazon increased by 1,400 percent compared to last year,” according to a county statement issued Tuesday afternoon.
“Montgomery County is home to some of the most generous, nicest, kindest people that just want to help, and it’s an amazing thing to see every day,” Hilghman said in the August interview.
Clothing and school supplies were dispensed to students across the county at several area community centers, Norristown Area School District schools and the Pathway School, according to a county spokesperson. Hilghman added that some “aging out of foster care” and other low-income parents attending Montgomery County Community College were among recipients.
“In addition to providing immediate relief to families, the Back-to-School Drive also reinforces Montgomery County’s commitment to education and community support. By equipping students with the necessary supplies, the county is helping to lay the foundation for a successful academic year and a brighter future,” a county spokesperson said Tuesday.
