If you've got to be a working mom, working for a youth and education nonprofit has got to be about the best deal you can get. I don't actually work with kids most of the time (that would be a bit of overkill, after my own two), but I get to work for kids, which makes my work so meaningful and special.

But days like today are the best of all. Most of my work is behind the scenes, but today I headed out of the office to the frontlines. We gave away hundreds (perhaps thousands, I didn't count) of backpacks and various school supplies to needy kids in Newark, NJ. I'd seen photos from other giveaways we'd done, but this was my first time in attendance. Let's just say it was exhilarating.

Easy to spot in a bright yellow Kars for Kids t-shirt, I spent much of the time actually handing out backpacks (cute blue ones, with a neat Kars4Kids logo on them), notebooks (the purple ones were popular among the girls), pencils and snack bags. I loved seeing the kids' eyes light up as they were handed their brand-new swag. They were so proud to tell me what school they went to, what grade they were starting and when school would start.

It was eye-opening to see first hand how much of a desperate need exists. "The public schools ask for so many more supplies than they used to," one woman told me. "We're poor as it is. But the need goes unseen. We're so grateful to organizations like Kars4Kids that come and help out."

Another man, a great grandfather of many, echoed her sentiment, telling me of the great need. "Many children don't have working parents," he said, "and it is good to know that there is a charity for them to depend on."

As for me, it is a good feeling to be fortunate enough to be on the giving end of the equation.

(P.S. Check out the Kars for Kids Facebook page for great photos of the event...)