Founded in 1984, Combined Community Services has helped thousands of people through different programs over the last 30 years. One of those programs, “Tools For School,” founded by Ami Pitt, is in its 18th year. The school supply giveaway for less fortunate children will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. In 2013, just under 1,500 children received school supplies. According to CCS Director of Client Assistance Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, recipients need to be from Kosciusko County, have identification and, if possible, have their child’s school registration. “It’s the 15th one Ami and I have done together and it’s just awesome to look back on the thousands of kids who have gotten supplies and haircuts. It’s neat to see how it’s grown to include more organizations,” Lisenbee-Wright said. Warsaw Community Schools Food & Nutrition Services will provide breakfast for the second consecutive year. CCS staff and volunteers will be providing free face painting for the children. Fiesta will provide free haircuts. Hairdressers are needed to volunteer with Fiesta for two-hour periods throughout the day, Lisenbee-Wright stated. Anyone interested in providing haircuts can contact Lisenbee-Wright at 574-269-6019, Ext. 222, or Emergency Assistance Liaison Jill Greenwood at Ext. 229. Tables set up at the event will include medication and dental assistance, Good Samaritan Fund and The Help Center, CANI-Health Insurance, MDwise and local churches with information on their children’s programs and events. The American Red Cross receives school supplies from Warsaw Dollar Tree’s Operation Home Front, which allows local shoppers to purchase and donate school supplies in-store. All Dollar Tree donations are given to the Red Cross and then to CCS for its back-to-school program, according to information provided by Lisenbee-Wright. Donations are needed by Aug. 4 but will always be accepted. School supplies needed include two-pocket folders, Fiskar Scissors (not plastic), colored pencils, pens (blue and black – no red), rulers, spiral notebooks, liquid glue, three-ring binders, crayons (box of 24), large soft rubber erasers, colored markers, compasses and protractors, glue sticks, filler paper and backpacks. She said businesses, churches, civic organizations and individuals can collect and donate to Tools For School. Donations should be delivered to CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw. Monetary donations would be greatly appreciated, Lisenbee-Wright said. “We purchase a significant amount of bookbags,” she said. “Monetary donations are big.” Meijer is again partnering with CCS for the event, she said. Last year, it gave Tools For School a $1,000 gift card and provided low prices for the school supplies. She thanked the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds for letting CCS use its property. “I always thank the community because they give us the money and supplies,” Lisenbee-Wright said. She also thanked God, saying the community’s generosity and the removal of a burden from low-income parents wouldn’t be possible without God’s blessings. People can check on Tools For School updates and other CCS information by liking its Facebook page, or visiting the website at www.combinedcommunityservices.org
