CCS Gears Up For 'Tools For Schools'Combined Community Services expects to see a record number of kids this year during its "Tools for Schools" program.
Medtronic employees will be collecting backpacks beginning Monday to help CCS with the program.
Tools for Schools is a program that helps provide school supplies for Kosciusko County children who otherwise might not get them. This year, the program is in desperate need of supplies because it's starting with nothing. CCS hopes to collect at least 1,500 backpacks by Aug. 11.In 2008, according to CCS Executive Director Lewis Jones, CCS provided school supplies to about 1,400 children.
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.
Holly Howard, Mission In Motion ambassador for Medtronic, said Medtronic employees have good jobs and are generous people who want to help out their community.
She said Medtronic employees don't like to see kids without the items necessary to go back to school. The employees don't want to see the children feel any different from any other student whose parents are able to provide them with new back-to-school stuff, she said.
From Monday through Aug. 10, Medtronic employees will collect backpacks to give to CCS for the program.
Last year, CCS ran short on backpacks and asked Medtronic for help. In four days, Medtronic collected 300 backpacks.
"Backpacks are one of the more expensive things we give out, that is why we ask Medtronic to help," said Lewis.
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.
For more information about Tools for Schools, call 574-269-6019, Ext. 22.
