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PKP gets backpack donation

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Photo by Greg Bird Pine Knot Primary Assistant Principal Anita Coffey collects donations of backpacks from CrossFit Ignis owner Kelli Johnson.

Over 50 students at Pine Knot Primary School will benefit from the kindness of strangers this school year after a Somerset gym organized a drive to gather backpacks filled with school supplies this summer.

Kelli M. Johnson, owner of CrossFit Ignis, stated she developed the idea after one of her members, Tara Tucker, who teaches at PKP, spoke about the needs of students in her school.

“I overheard Tara talking last school year about how devastating it was to see some of her students in need of even the simplest things like school supplies,” Johnson said. “She mentioned what an impact it made on them when she, out of her own pocket, purchased a few back packs and filled them with basic supplies.  Since school was virtually over at this point I committed to helping her out for the next school year. Even though I live and work in Somerset, my roots are in McCreary county and wanted to give back. I’ve always lived by the motto of paying it forward whenever possible and by using the platform of my gym, CrossFit Ignis, we try to give back to our local communities several times per year.  So, the “Pack the Backpack” challenge was born.”

Members of the gym took up the challenge in a big way.

They were provided a basic supply list for students in kindergarten through Fourth Grade, and stuffed 52 packs full of needed items.

PKP Principal Anita Coffey visited the gym this past week to pick up the donations, and thanked Johnson and her members for their help.

Johnson said the drive was so successful they plan on making it an annual event.

“I’m so proud of my members, they always answer the call,” she said. “We are so much more than a “gym”. We are a community.”

For more information on CrossFit Ignis you can visit their Facebook page or www.crossfitignis.com

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