Mentone resident Rosy Jansma serves on the K21 Health Foundation Board of Directors. Because of her involvement in the community and commitment to making a difference, the K21 Foundation made a donation of $1,000 in her honor. Jansma decided to use the donation to continue her support of Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks. Boomerang Backpacks is a program in which the weekend nutritional needs of children from Akron and Mentone elementary schools are met by the provision of food and snacks sent home in a backpack each Friday afternoon. Students receive enough food to eat for the entire weekend. Boomerang Backpacks helps eliminate hunger and allows students to concentrate better on learning throughout the week. Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks also serves as an educational opportunity for the students of Tippecanoe Valley High School. Students who participate in the Functional Life Skills class perform tasks associated with the Boomerang Backpack Program while other students serve as program interns to gain an understanding of philanthropy and helping others.
