An experienced financial professional, Dimitri Athans serves as a profit manager for United Parcel Service (UPS) in Philadelphia. Outside of his professional activities, Dimitri Athans supports the work of charitable organizations such as the United Way.
In its efforts to assist local communities, the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey runs a number of programs and holds several signature events. Each year, the organization partners with Cradles to Crayons to offer its annual Backpack-A-Thon, an event that provides young students with the supplies they need to go back to school in the fall, prepared to learn.
All students participating in the program receive a new backpack filled with writing utensils, paper, a binder, and glue sticks, as well as a flash drive and a scientific calculator. Volunteers help make the event possible by finding sponsors to donate $25 for each backpack and by distributing them to area children.
In 2015, the United Way and Cradles to Crayons handed out 24,000 backpacks with the help of volunteers and several local corporate sponsors. For more information about the Backpack-A-Thon or other United Way of Greater Philadelphia signature events, visit www.unitedforimpact.org.
