School supplies being collected here

Making sure that children are properly supplied with pencils, paper, binders and other necessary school supplies is the goal of the Tools 4 School program, which is in its fifth year this year, according to event chairperson Janci Smith-Sullivan.

“Our program aims to help kids in low-income families come into the school year on an even status with all the other kids, supply-wise,” Smith-Sullivan said of the program. “We want to help them have everything they need for the school year.”

This year’s Tools 4 School distribution event will be held Thursday, Aug. 13 at Evangel United Methodist Church, it was reported. Applications for participation in the program remain available through Saturday and may be picked up at the church, the New Hope Center, the Jackson County Senior Citizens Center and the Jackson County Health Department.

Completed applications must be returned by Saturday, it was reported. However, those who want to make donations will have the opportunity to do so until Aug. 13, Smith-Sullivan said.

So far this year, Smith-Sullivan said the program has collected about 50 applications for participation in the program. On average, the program gets 100 to 150 applications per year, she added.

Donation boxes for supplies have been available at a handful of locations in Holton, including Bumper to Bumper, El Milagro, the Hot Spot, Jeanne’s Tan and Hair Salon, Napa, Quilting on the Square and The Holton Recorder. Smith-Sullivan said donation boxes will be available at participating businesses through Friday, Aug. 7; after that, anyone wishing to make donations may visit EUM Church.

Supplies still needed include crayons, zip-lock storage bags, pencils, markers, loose leaf paper, spiral notebooks, erasters, colored pencils, tissue paper (such as Kleenex), glue sticks, white glue, hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, three-ring binders, Trapper Keepers, folders with and without prongs, pencil boxes, pens and pencil bags.

Smith-Sullivan said those involved with the program are not emphasizing donations of one particular school supply over another.

“We’re just hoping to be able to collect enough and have enough supplies to give to all the kids who put their applications in,” she said. “The kids are always so excited, so bright and happy to have all the stuff they need to go back to school.”

A current WIC receipt, a free and reduced lunch form or verification of food stamp assistance is required to receive school supplies. These must be current and have the name of the parent or guardian on them.

A $5 donation is required per child for supplies and must be attached, along with one of the above forms, to the application form when turned in. Verification of enrollment at one of Jackson County’s three schools also is required on the day of the event, as is the child’s and parent’s name, school district, grade the child is entering, home address and phone number.

For more information, contact Smith-Sullivan at 851-1092 or Emily Boehm at (772) 539-1030.