Children taking part in this summer's Project Sunshine were recently the recipients of new backpacks that were donated to program.

Project Sunshine, in its second year, is run at the Smith Elementary School. It is an eight-week long program for children who live in hotels and motels in Danvers and who otherwise would be playing in motel parking lots during the summer.

As of June, 149 families were living in four different hotels and motels in Danvers.

One special activity still planned for the campers is a visit to The Friendship in Salem.

"This will be a great opportunity for the kids to complement their busy summer," Recreation Director David Mountain said in a recent update on this summer's program. "The program is going very well, bringing lots of smiles to the children's faces everyday."

This week, Town Manager Wayne Marquis said the program's budget - $35,000 - is about $5,000 short of its goal. It is funded entirely by donations.

To Donate:

The town is accepting grants, and tax-deductible donations for the Project Sunshine program. 

Checks can be made out to the Town of Danvers, with Project Sunshine written in the notation. 

For more information about the program, contact Danvers Recreation at 978-777-0001 ext. 3094.