This year, Blue Connections IT and Dell Technologies have teamed up to make a difference in the lives of young people in need, with the second annual Backpack Giving Day taking place on Thursday, May 4.

This included more than 400 children and young people placed in a range of out of home settings including foster care, kinship care, and residential care set to receive a special surprise.

The event was held at Blue Connections IT's headquarters in support of Anglicare Victoria, the provider of out-of-home care services for children and young people in the state.

Gordon Brownell, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Connections IT, says, "Blue Connections is thrilled to once again support Anglicare Victoria and the children and young people in its care through Backpack Giving Day. This is a cause that is very close to our hearts, and we are honoured to work with such a dedicated organisation.

Anglicare Victoria's team works to find homes for children and young people who cannot live with their parents. When they transition to a new home or school, it can be daunting and stressful. The backpacks provided through Backpack Giving Day are a valuable tool to support these young people and are filled with essential resources such as lunch boxes, drink bottles, and a teddy bear for comfort.

Sue Sealey, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Anglicare Victoria, says, "As the state's largest provider of foster care and alternative care, Anglicare Victoria is grateful for the support of Blue Connections IT and Dell Technologies in putting together these backpacks, which have already made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of young people."

Nicholas Griffith, Senior Manager Channel Sales, Dell Technologies, says, "As a company, giving back to the community is an integral part of our culture at Dell Technologies. Working alongside Blue Connections IT and Anglicare Victoria to make a difference in the lives of children, both at home and in their education, is a privilege.

"It's inspiring to be involved in such a positive initiative, and were honoured to continue playing a role in improving the lives of young people in Anglicare Victorias care."

Last year, the inaugural event saw staff from both companies donate their time to support Anglicare Victoria, resulting in more than 200 children in the organisations foster care, residential, and education programs receiving a backpack filled with resources and equipment.

Among these were home transition backpacks that were distributed to children in foster care, kinship care, and residential care throughout Victoria. Furthermore, education transition backpacks were provided to pupils who were part of educational programs, including the Transforming Educational Achievement of Children at Risk (TEACHar) program, which offers additional assistance to children between the ages of four and 18 in their academic pursuits.

The annual Backpack Giving Day event builds on Blue Connections IT and Dell Technologies ongoing partnership with Anglicare Victoria, which started in 2018 when the businesses collaborated to refresh Anglicare Victorias technology through device lifecycle management.

The partnership also supported Anglicare Victoria and its staff through COVID-19 and the almost eight months of lockdown, as it continued to provide critical services to the families and children it works with.

Blue Connections IT and Dell Technologies ongoing partnership with Anglicare Victoria is an example of how businesses can work alongside charities to create positive change, the companies state. Through events such as the Backpack Giving Day, they can make a significant impact and provide valuable support to those who need it.