06/13/2026
In 2012, the Union Baptist Association started the Backpack Assistance Ministry (B.A.M.) Program, taking it on from the local school districts because grant money had been discontinued. The mission was to make Jesus known to the families in the community by distributing over 1,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, Bible, United States Constitution, and more. Doug Benningfield, pastor of Hickory Valley Baptist Church, contacted Carleen Benson and asked if she was interested in coordinating the program and the rest is history. Carleen was the B.A.M Coordinator for 10 years. Carleen became a Board Member at the YMCA and facilitated a passing of the torch, handing off the B.A.M Program to the YMCA. When we recruited Carleen as a Board Member at the Y, we never anticipated this but we are forever grateful for her mentorship and leadership.
Carleen passed away suddenly in February of 2025. 🙏
Last year was difficult without her but she knew this day would come, that is why she brought us in. She told us she needed a group of young servant leaders who could be visionaries for this program and carry it forward. Which is what we did last year and hope to continue to do. We will work to glorify God and make Jesus known by serving the youth in our community, just as it was the original mission of Carleen and the program years ago. I know her spirit will be with us. ❤️
📍 WCHS Football Field
🗓️ Saturday, July 25th • 9AM
💲FREE for School-aged students from White & Van Buren County
✨ Backpacks, school supplies, Bibles, books, constitutions, hygiene bags, food bags, snow cones and more!
🤝 You can help in a variety of ways!
• Volunteer to pack backpacks on Friday, July 24th
• Volunteer at the BAM event
• Donate to the program
• Donate hygiene products
🔗 spartawhitecountyymca.org/benson-s-backpack-assistance-ministry
