Hairthurium owner Michele Hennas will be accepting backpack donations until Aug. 18. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

MERRIMACK – Since assuming ownership of Hairthurium in 1998, Michele Hennas has made it a priority to give back to the community by helping those in need.

“It’s important to me, I rely on the community to support my business,” she said, adding that Hairthurium usually hosts an annual community service event from Thanksgiving until the end of the year.

However, in recognition of her 25-year milestone, Hennas decided that she wanted to do something more and reached out to Marsha Kelly, a Hairthurium customer of 22 years.

Kelly knew that a back-to-school backpack drive would be the best option. She said that in prior years, she had helped the Nashua Soup Kitchen deliver backpacks to students in grades K-12.

“That’s the need,” said Kelly.

She also said that Hennas has stepped up for Merrimack and Nashua year after year.

“Every year she picks a charity, she’s very compassionate,” said Kelly.

Although a backpack drive was something Hennas had never done before, she agreed that it would have the greatest impact.

“School supplies are so expensive for kids,” she said. “Backpacks are the pricier item.”

A review of backpack prices from Amazon, Target and Kohl’s showed that they sell for an average of $40.

Hennas said she was confident that her customers would respond to her request for backpacks.

“I knew that I would have a good turnout,” she said.

Hennas was right. Thus far, she has collected 25 backpacks since the drive began on July 16. At this point, her goal is to have 50 backpacks when the drive ends on Aug. 18.

Once the drive has ended, the Nashua Soup Kitchen will fill the backpacks with school supplies and distribute them.

Hennas said Hairthurium has also partnered with End 68 Hours of Hunger by providing students with bags of food to take home.

“At Christmas, we collected over 400 boxes of Mac and Cheese,” she said.

In addition, Hennas said she and her employees have worked with the Humane Society and participated in walks to raise money for epilepsy and breast cancer research.

“We try to rally around things that impact us,” she said.