Without generous donations from local residents, businesses and organizations, Combined Community Services’ Tools For School program can’t provide Kosciusko children with the supplies they need to start the school year right.
The 20th annual Tools For School will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the fairgrounds, according to CCS Director of Client Assistance Peggi Lisenbee-Wright.
“We’re trying to start fundraising early because we really have a need,” she said. “… Last year and the year before that, the need was so great, we brought so little back (from the event).”
“Now is the time (to donate). We’re in full fundraising mode right now,” said Ami Pitt, Tools For School coordinator.
Lisenbee-Wright said last year the program was $3,000 to $4,000 short of its expected budget.
“We average 1,500 kids each year,” Pitt said.
“We serviced 1,278 on the first day last year,” Lisenbee-Wright added. The rest were served later through the CCS office.
Pitt said parents start lining up at 4 or 5 a.m., but doors don’t open until 9 a.m. and early arrivals get no different opportunities or special treatment from those who arrive later.
Tools For School is for children of Kosciusko County who attend a school within the county. Staff at the event will check to verify that children are in a parent’s household and are attending a school in the county. If a parent has already registered their child, they can bring the printout of the registration.
“We try to make it dignified and fun for the kids,” Lisenbee-Wright said. “Education is the backbone of getting ahead and not having money should not keep you from getting ahead. And Christ said serve, so we serve.”
Also at the event, Fiesta Hair Salon will provide kids with free haircuts. Service organizations and churches will have tables set up to provide information on what they can provide to families and kids. There will be face painting, and Warsaw Community Schools Food & Nutrition Services will provide children with breakfast.
“I can’t tell you how much of a stress relief it is for parents to have activities and breakfast there for children,” Lisenbee-Wright said.
Pitt said any service organization that wants to get their information out at Tools For School can contact her or Lisenbee-Wright to have a table. Pitt’s phone number is 574-265-4179, and Lisenbee-Wright can be contacted at 574-269-6019, Ext. 222.
“We’re always looking for churches to come and share about their children’s programs,” Pitt said.
Donations may be dropped off at CCS, or monetary donations can be made on the CCS website. Donors should make sure any donations are earmarked for Tools For School.
The website for CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, is at www.combinedcommunityservices.org
“We shop locally, and we get good deals from the local stores,” Lisenbee-Wright said.
“Meijer has really stepped up the last few years,” Pitt said, noting that Walmart also has been a great contributor in the past.
Lisenbee-Wright said the most needed items are the more expensive school supplies like three-ring binders, two-pocket folders and backpacks.
“We want to thank Medtronic for providing our first donation for backpacks,” she said.
Pitt said, “We’re looking for other companies to also support this program.”
All of the 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.
CCS uses monetary donations to shop for Tools For School tax-free and at reduced costs, stretching donations further.
“It’s a great program,” said Lisenbee-Wright, noting that other counties have started their own programs based on CCS’s Tools For School.
(Story By The Times Union)
