Several area organizations are working together to make sure local kids get the supplies they will need for the upcoming school year.
Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko County, Salvation Army and Combined Community Services are joining forces for the annual Tools for Schools this year. The charitable event formerly was the Christmas in July program. The two-day giveaway is Aug. 5-6 at the Boys & Girls Club, 800 Park Ave., Warsaw.
"I'm really excited to have it here," said CCS Director of Client Services Peggi Lisenbee-Wright. "It's a good location, it's kid friendly."
Monetary donations can be dropped off at CCS, 110 E. Prairie St., Warsaw, now through July 31. Supply donations can be delivered to CCS, Salvation Army or the Boys & Girls Club through Aug. 5.
Ken Locke, Salvation Army director, said the Greater Ministerial Association is encouraging churches to collect and donate school supplies and money to Tools for School.
In addition to the school supplies being handed out by CCS, the Salvation Army is providing vouchers for school shoes for students. Fiesta Hair & Tanning will provide haircuts to the children. Free Masons are providing the Safe Kids Program, while packets of information also will be on hand for parents about various services and service organizations in the county.
"There's going to be so much fun, besides (giving away) needed items," said Boys & Girls Club Director Cindi Knepper. "They're going to get a great pack (of information) and lots of stuff is going to be going on. The kids are going to have a great time. We're just going to play, have some fun, do some games."
"We're combining our giveaways. Cindi is letting us use the Boys & Girls Club," said Lisenbee-Wright. She said she and Locke work together on a lot of things, so this is just one more project they're working together on.
Locke said the Salvation Army's Women's Auxiliary provides a grant for the shoes vouchers. If people also want to donate new gym shoes, Locke said they also will get those out to students who need them.
In 2007, CCS gave supplies away to 1,400 students, according to Lisenbee-Wright. On the first day alone, 728 kids were served. With the struggling economy, more kids are expected this year during Tools for Schools.
"I know the need is going to be great, but his is a way to combine the resources," said Locke.
"With all of us here, because of our spirits, and this community is so good, there will be so much joy here," said Knepper. It won't be another year of "I can't afford to get my kids' school supplies," she said. It will be a fun event. "We're really going to try to build (people) up. ... We want your kids to be ready, to be so excited."
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).
Monetary donations are also important to provide not only more school supplies, but also gym uniforms for students who will need them. 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.
Several groups in the area will help distribute the school supplies Aug. 5-6, including Warsaw Community High School and Warsaw Wesleyan Senior Youth, The Firm Foundation and the Fraternal Order of Police. The Fraternal Order of Police also provides funds for Tools for School.
To be eligible for the giveaway, a student must live in Kosciusko County, go to school and not have a giveaway in their area.
Tools for School at the Boys & Girls Club is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6.
For more information about Tools for Schools, call 574-269-6019, Ext. 22.
