Las Vegas Elementary School Students Receive Free, Non-toxic Backpacks

LAS VEGAS - Sept. 12, 2016 - PRLog -- The National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) on September 1^st, distributed 250 non-toxic backpacks to first and second grade students at Cynthia Cunningham Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of its Safer and Healthier Backpacks Program, the first program of its kind in Nevada and the nation.

"Research supports the fact that the majority of school supplies used by students contain unacceptable levels of phthalates, a highly-toxic chemical," said Angel De Fazio, President of the NTEF. "We are reaching out to parents to make sure they have the knowledge and tools to raise healthy children and providing students at Cunningham Elementary with safe, non-toxic and durable backpacks that will last them well into middle school."

The backpacks are polyester and 100 percent PVA, phthalate, and lead free. They are also lightweight and meet the American Occupational Therapy Association's recommendations for children's backpacks.

"On behalf of the administration and staff of Cunningham Elementary School, we appreciate any and everything that is done to help our students have a successful school year," said Dr. Joyce M. Brooks, Principal of Cunningham Elementary School. "It is important that all students come ready and equipped to learn. Thank you for your generous donation."

The NV Energy Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to fund the Safer and Healthier Backpacks Program. NV Energy executives assisted with the backpack distribution.

"It's important to the NV Energy Foundation that students have the tools they need to be successful," said Tony Sanchez, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Strategy for NV Energy. "By having something as simple as a backpack, they are able to come to school better focused on learning."

"Our Safer and Healthier Backpacks Program wouldn't be possible without this grant from the NV Energy Foundation," said De Fazio. "We are grateful to the NV Energy Foundation for their ongoing support of the work we do to make our community a healthier place."

The NV Energy Foundation provided a grant in 2014 for the NTEF's Safer and Healthier Lunch Program that provided stainless steel, non-toxic lunch kits to at-risk students.

The NTEF is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. NTEF's core purposes are to provide education and services to the growing segment of the population who are adversely affected by everyday chemicals and toxins in our environment. For more information, visit www.NTEF-USA.Org.