CCS, Fiesta Hair Team Up To Collect 'Tools For Schools'
CCS, Fiesta Hair Team Up To Collect 'Tools For Schools'
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
CCS, Fiesta Hair Team Up To Collect 'Tools For Schools'Tools for Schools is a program that helps provide school supplies for Kosciusko County children who might otherwise not get them for the upcoming school year.
This year, the program is in desperate need of supplies because it's starting with nothing.
"We're starting from scratch," said Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, Combined Community Services director of client services. She said she wants to collect at least 1,500 backpacks by Aug. 11."That's what we're expecting to need this year," she said. Last year, the program served 1,000 children on the first day of the program alone.
In 2007, supplies were given away to 1,400 students. On the first day, 728 kids were served.
The school supply giveaway will be only one day this year, Aug. 11. It will be held at the Boys & Girls Club, 800 Park Ave., Warsaw, and is sponsored by CCS, the Boys & Girls Club and the Salvation Army.
"We need (the supplies) by the end of July, but we can collect them until the day of the event," Lisenbee-Wright said.
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible for Tools for School, and backpacks are needed for all grade levels. The program is not for preschool students.
To be eligible for the giveaway, a person must show proof of residency in Kosciusko County. Proof can include an ID or a bill to their current residence. They also must have children in school.
Besides the much-needed backpacks and three-ring binders, other school supplies that are needed include Elmer's® school glue (4-ounce bottle), rubber cement, folders with pockets, Fiskar scissors (not plastic), Crayons® (box of 24), pencils (No. 2), colored pencils, large soft rubber eraser, pens (blue and black, no red), washable markers, ruler (English or metric system), protractor, compass, waterproof school bags and notebook or notebook paper (wide rule).
Monetary donations can be dropped off at CCS, 110 E. Prairie St., Warsaw, through Aug. 11. Supply donations can be delivered to CCS or Fiesta Hair, located in the Village Shopping Plaza next to Kmart.
For the fifth year, Fiesta Hair is providing haircuts to the children. If a person donates a school supply item for Tools for Schools at Fiesta, they will get $2 off their haircut.
The full staff of Fiesta Hair will be giving children free haircuts at the event Aug. 11. Fiesta provides its own hair supplies.
Assistant Manager Sherry Sparkman said they expect to give hundreds of haircuts this year. "We always try to keep count, but then we get too busy," she said.
"They do it until it's done," said Lisenbee-Wright. "They do this every year."
Fiesta Hair Manager Lora Fisher said the business will take donations until the day of the event, too.
"We do this with our great staff (members,) who are always willing to help," Fisher said.
"A lot of them are just happy to get a haircut," said Sparkman of the children.
Asked why Fiesta Hair spends an entire day giving hundreds of free haircuts to students, Sparkman replied, "Because we want to. It makes us feel good. If you have a talent to help others, you might as well help others."
Poverty is hard enough for children, Lisenbee-Wright said. If they can provide kids with a new haircut and school supplies, that's a good start for children, she said.
Lisenbee-Wright said, "It's a really desperate year. Everyone knows that. The supplies go to kids in the county."
For more information about Tools for Schools, call 574-269-6019, Ext. 22.
