2016 Tools For School Program Already Off And Running
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The program provides school supplies for Kosciusko County students who might otherwise start the new school year without them. In its 22nd year, it will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Home & Family Arts Building at the Kosciusko Fairgrounds, according to volunteer and co-organizer Ami Pitt.
In 2015, Tools For School served about 1,500 on the day of the drive and some additional students afterward.
When parents and their children arrive, Pitt said they will do a short intake at the door. Any family who can use the assistance can come, she said. “We do a photo ID at the door. If they can bring anything for their children that shows their age or grade, that is helpful,” she said.
“With this, bring your kids, too, if you can. We’ll have haircuts, face painting and community information,” Pitt said.
She also invited churches and service clubs to give out their information at the event about what services they offer for children. “We’ll offer them free table space,” she said.
In the last few years, Good News Caboose has been at the program. DARE officers have come out to meet and greet kids.
CCS Director of Client Assistance Peggi Lisenbee-Wright said they need funding for book bags. If someone wants to write a check to donate, she suggested they put Tools For School in the memo line.
Pitt said since CCS is a not-for-profit, it can shop for supplies tax free, stretching financial donations further.
Donations can be dropped off at CCS until the day of the event, but Pitt said it would be helpful if they were delivered by June 27.
The biggest need will be backpacks, thumb drives and three-ring binders, she said. Those are also the “big ticket” items that the program runs short on every year, she said.
Pitt said last year Steve Foster helped the program find a great deal on book bags and funding. She said they’re also asking for help with those again this year.
In order to avoid duplication of services, Lisenbee-Wright said CCS will privately share information with other organizations doing school supply drives.
Pitt said they are inviting other organizations who are planning to do a school supply drive to come join CCS’s efforts. At Tools For School, the other organizations will be welcome to hand out information on the services they offer. Pitt said the fair board is generously allowing for the program to be housed in the Home & Family Arts Building so there will be room for other organizations.
“If they can’t come join us, we will privately provide information on who we serve to avoid duplication. We want to help as many kids as possible. We’re all about the community coming together,” she said.
Fiesta Hair Salon once again will be providing free hair cuts to students.
“We think they’ll have some help this year,’ Pitt said. “It’s such a great service for the kids.”
Warsaw Community Schools Nutrition Services Department will once again serve breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. to children waiting for the school supplies.
Pitt said since Meijer has opened its doors, it has become one of the biggest assets in helping Kosciusko County with programs like Tools For School.
“I really want to thank Meijer. From the day they opened their doors, they’ve been so generous,” she continued.
“REMC sends us volunteers and the kids love it,” Pitt said. Several homeschool and 4-H groups also volunteer at the event.
If anyone wants more information about Tools For School or how to donate, they should call CCS at 574-269-6019, Ext. 222.[[In-content Ad]]
The program provides school supplies for Kosciusko County students who might otherwise start the new school year without them. In its 22nd year, it will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Home & Family Arts Building at the Kosciusko Fairgrounds, according to volunteer and co-organizer Ami Pitt.
In 2015, Tools For School served about 1,500 on the day of the drive and some additional students afterward.
When parents and their children arrive, Pitt said they will do a short intake at the door. Any family who can use the assistance can come, she said. “We do a photo ID at the door. If they can bring anything for their children that shows their age or grade, that is helpful,” she said.
“With this, bring your kids, too, if you can. We’ll have haircuts, face painting and community information,” Pitt said.
She also invited churches and service clubs to give out their information at the event about what services they offer for children. “We’ll offer them free table space,” she said.
In the last few years, Good News Caboose has been at the program. DARE officers have come out to meet and greet kids.
CCS Director of Client Assistance Peggi Lisenbee-Wright said they need funding for book bags. If someone wants to write a check to donate, she suggested they put Tools For School in the memo line.
Pitt said since CCS is a not-for-profit, it can shop for supplies tax free, stretching financial donations further.
Donations can be dropped off at CCS until the day of the event, but Pitt said it would be helpful if they were delivered by June 27.
The biggest need will be backpacks, thumb drives and three-ring binders, she said. Those are also the “big ticket” items that the program runs short on every year, she said.
Pitt said last year Steve Foster helped the program find a great deal on book bags and funding. She said they’re also asking for help with those again this year.
In order to avoid duplication of services, Lisenbee-Wright said CCS will privately share information with other organizations doing school supply drives.
Pitt said they are inviting other organizations who are planning to do a school supply drive to come join CCS’s efforts. At Tools For School, the other organizations will be welcome to hand out information on the services they offer. Pitt said the fair board is generously allowing for the program to be housed in the Home & Family Arts Building so there will be room for other organizations.
“If they can’t come join us, we will privately provide information on who we serve to avoid duplication. We want to help as many kids as possible. We’re all about the community coming together,” she said.
Fiesta Hair Salon once again will be providing free hair cuts to students.
“We think they’ll have some help this year,’ Pitt said. “It’s such a great service for the kids.”
Warsaw Community Schools Nutrition Services Department will once again serve breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. to children waiting for the school supplies.
Pitt said since Meijer has opened its doors, it has become one of the biggest assets in helping Kosciusko County with programs like Tools For School.
“I really want to thank Meijer. From the day they opened their doors, they’ve been so generous,” she continued.
“REMC sends us volunteers and the kids love it,” Pitt said. Several homeschool and 4-H groups also volunteer at the event.
If anyone wants more information about Tools For School or how to donate, they should call CCS at 574-269-6019, Ext. 222.[[In-content Ad]]
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