2024 Yulista Backpack Campaign
Backpacks and School Supplies to 500 Students in the Y-K Region
Storyknife, September/October 2024 edition

Employees from Yulista Holding, Calista’s largest government contracting holding line, donated over 500 backpacks and school supplies to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region this year. Backpacks and school supplies were donated to five schools in the communities of Kasigluk, Atmautluak, Napakiak and Oscarville.
Through their annual Yulista CARES Backpack Campaign, Yulista employees organize and raise funds throughout the corporation. They support students in Alaska and other states they operate including Yulista’s base of operations in Huntsville, Alabama.
Backpacks are filled with everything from notebooks, scissors and pens, to hats, water bottles and a hygiene kit to stay healthy. This gives students hope and excitement so they can start the school year feeling confident and prepared.
“I’m excited about the school year. I like learning about math and mostly science,” says Chelsea Joekay, an eighth grader in Oscarville.
Oscarville—about a 15-minute boat ride from Bethel—has less than 20 students in the school. Each student is now ready for the school year, even the teachers. The Yulista Backpack Campaign also donates extra school supplies to teachers including notepads, pens and more.

Natalia Slim started her senior year at Akiuk Memorial School in Kasigluk with a goal to be trained and work as a carpenter.
“It feels great to get a new bag with supplies,” says Natalia Slim, a senior at Akiuk Memorial School in Kasigluk. “It’s great for my brothers and sisters because they like to write a lot—sometimes even on the wall! They’ve been counting down the days, and now they’re ready to learn.”
As Natalia begins her senior year, she’s focused on her goal of becoming a trained carpenter. She even participated in the Calista Brice STEM camp last fall.
The Yulista CARES Backpack Campaign raised funds to send over 1,700 backpacks with school supplies to schools nationwide, with 500 of those distributed to the Calista Region. Additionally, $8,350 was raised specifically to support schools in Alaska. We are especially grateful to Grant Aviation for donating charter flights and delivering the backpacks to the Y-K Region.
A Calista Shareholder employee from Yulista typically organizes the backpack delivery, and a highlight for most of the Yulista employees is seeing the students’ smiling faces in the schools. Kayla Larson, a past intern and Yulista employee, along with the Yulista CARES committee organized this year’s backpack campaign.
“We want to thank the employees and partners who are dedicated to the mission of Yulista and Calista to make a difference in the lives of our Shareholders,” says Larson. “Quyana for your time and donations in creating a great start for the students of the Y-K Region.”
