POINT PLEASANT — Less than a month into her reign as the 2009 Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta Queen, Summer Searls is already busy planning a community service project.

Searls recently kicked off the Great Backpack to School campaign, which will collect donated backpacks that will be given to Mason County school students.

According to Searls, donated backpacks must be new. She encouraged individuals, businesses, organizations and groups to donate to the cause. Donations will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 14. Drop-off locations for donated backpacks are located at WBYG radio station in Point Pleasant, Advanced Design in Point Pleasant and the Mason Market of Bob’s Greenhouse in Mason. Backpacks will be distributed to school students of any age noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 at Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School. Searls along with members of her Regatta court will hand out the backpacks.

“We want to help students around here get excited and prepared for the new school year,” Searls said.

She added that this is the first of many service projects that she plans to do during her time as Regatta Queen. Searls described her idea to do a backpack drive as spanning from a need that she saw in the area.

“I’m doing (the backpack drive) because I know there is a lot of economic craziness right now, so anyone that wants a backpack can come get one,” she said. “I’m an education major and since I’m all about school and teaching I wanted to do something school oriented, and I wanted to get the kids excited and help out those that don’t have much.”

Searls also said that she believed Mason County residents would pull through and donate to the cause.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I know we can pull together to do stuff. I encourage people to support, donate and help in any way they can,” she added.

For more information, call Searls at 304-675-1416.