Children may not be thinking about the upcoming school year yet, but Combined Community Services is.
CCS is gearing up for its annual Tools for Schools, which provides children with supplies they need for the classroom. The charitable event formerly was the Christmas in July program.The two-day giveaway this year is Aug. 5-6. To make room for the giveaway, Salvation Army's shoe giveaway and the free haircuts, the event will be held at the Boys & Girls Club, 800 Park Ave., Warsaw, this year.
In 2007, CCS gave supplies away to 1,400 students, according to CCS Director of Client Assistance Peggi Lisenbee-Wright. On the first day alone, 728 kids were served.
"With the economy the way it is," said Lisenbee-Wright, "I think we'll get more kids" this year.
Money donations to help CCS with Tools for Schools will be taken until July 31. School supplies may be donated up until Aug. 5.
The school supplies wish list includes backpacks, three-ring binders, 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).
Lisenbee-Wright said backpacks and binders are the most expensive items on the list, but are important. One of the most fun aspects of the Tools for Schools program is watching children get excited about picking out their own backpacks and binders, she said.
Monetary donations need to be in by July 31 so CCS can shop for the school supplies. Reneker's Sport Shop offers gym uniforms to CCS at a discount so CCS can turn around and offer them to students in need of them.
To be eligible for the giveaway Aug. 5-6, a student must live in Kosciusko County, go to school and not have a giveaway in their area.
For more information about Tools for Schools, call 574-269-6019, Ext. 22. CCS is at 110 E. Prairie St., Warsaw.
