Thirteen local organizations have announced a community-wide school supply drive, which will run July 21 – August 11. Supplies collected during the drive will be distributed to area students who are in need of materials to start the school year.
Many area businesses, including major retailers such as Wal Mart and Al’s, will provide collection bins to accept donations from their employees and the general public. Additional collection sites are located at First Trust Credit Union, LaPorte Savings Bank, Members Advantage Credit Union, the Michigan City Area Schools Administration Building, Beyond the Beach Salon, Captain Ed’s Candy Island, City Hall, Ivy Tech Community College, Jazzercize, the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, St. Johns United Church, Walgreens, CVS, The News Dispatch, and WIMS Radio.
Businesses, churches, and other organizations are invited to participate in the collection drive. Supplies collected by community organizations and individuals may be brought to Elston Middle School’s Meer Gym on Tuesday, August 12, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
Suggested donations include: pencils, black pens, crayons (24 count), spiral notebooks and 3-hole notebook paper, markers (washable), dry erase markers, glue sticks, erasers, pencil boxes, 2-pocket folders, antibacterial wipes, facial tissues, backpacks (new or gently used), “Ziploc” sandwich bags, rulers, highlighters, composition books, calculators, and three-ring binders/organizers.
“Many families in our community are struggling to make ends meet,” says Pat Harris, chair of the Citywide Back-to-School Rally committee. “We hope that this drive will help assure that every student is prepared for school this fall.”
Distribution of supplies will take place during a Citywide Back-to-School Rally on Thursday, August 14 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elston’s Gill Field. The event is a collaborative effort supported by numerous community agencies. This year, the organizing committee for the Back to School Rally includes representatives from Indiana Black Expo, the Laporte County NAACP, the Boys & Girls Club, MDWise, Covering Kids and Families LaPorte County, the City of Michigan City, Shaka-hand Maka-friend, Deliverance and Victory Outreach Ministries, Michigan City Area Schools, HealthLinc, the United Way of LaPorte County, the LaPorte County YMCA, and Purdue University North Central. Media partners include the News Dispatch, WIMS radio (AM1420) and WEFM radio (95.9FM).
Volunteers are needed on August 13 to assist in sorting school supplies and on August 14 for the Back-to-School Rally. Please contact Rachel Weaver at (219)785-5414 or raweaver@pnc.edu for details. Information on sponsorships and exhibiting at the Rally may be found at http://educateMC.net/backtoschoolrally.