McLean and Great Falls residents have until Friday, August 7, to sponsor a local student with a new backpack and school supplies through Fairfax County's annual Adopt-A-Student drive.
Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman promoted the program on Monday, July 13, urging neighbors and local organizations to sign up before the deadline. The drive is run by Fairfax County's Volunteer and Partner Services, a program within the Department of Family Services, in partnership with Roonga, an online platform that connects nonprofits with donors and streamlines collection logistics.
The August 7 cutoff falls 17 days before the first day of school for Fairfax County Public Schools students on Monday, August 24.
How to participate
Donors visit roonga.com/adoptastudent, select a student to sponsor, and purchase a brand-new backpack along with grade-specific school supplies. The program covers students from pre-K through 12th grade, with supply lists organized by elementary (pre-K through sixth grade) and middle/high school (seventh through 12th grade). Those lists follow Fairfax County Public Schools recommendations for each grade level, according to the county's Volunteer and Partner Services page.
Both individuals and organizations can participate. When dropping off donations, donors must include a securely attached tag with their contribution, per the county's instructions.
The drive opened Wednesday, July 1. The county describes the Roonga partnership as a returning collaboration for the annual effort.
Local connection
Bierman, who represents McLean, Great Falls, Herndon, and parts of Falls Church and Vienna, said on X that the program invites residents to help students start the school year "prepared and confident." His post directed constituents to the Roonga sign-up page.
Volunteer and Partner Services supports children and families in crisis across Fairfax County and runs several seasonal programs, including an Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program.
What to know
- Deadline: Friday, August 7, 2026
- How: Visit roonga.com/adoptastudent to select a student
- What to donate: Brand-new backpack plus grade-specific supplies from FCPS lists
- Who can help: Individual residents and organizations
- First day of school: Monday, August 24, 2026
