A dozen local organizations have announced a community-wide school supply drive, which runs through August 9. 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 Al’s Supermarkets and Walmart, have set up collection bins to accept donations from their employees and the general public. Additional collection sites are located at Avenue Family Center (Elston Building Door A), Beyond the Beach Salon, Captain Ed’s Candy Island & Furniture Showroom, First Trust Credit Union, Jazzercize, Life Care Center of Michigan City, the MCAS Administration Building, Members Advantage Credit Union, Michigan City’s City Hall, The News Dispatch, and St. John’s United Church.
Businesses, churches, and other organizations are invited to join in the collection drive. Supplies collected by community organizations and individuals may be brought to the Elston Cafeteria (enter on the west side of the building, near the Performing Arts Center) on Tuesday, August 9, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
Suggested donations include: pencils, black pens, spiral notebooks and 3-hole notebook paper (especially college rule), 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, flash drives, ear buds/headphones, 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 the supplies will take place during a Citywide Back-to-School Rally on Thursday, August 11 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, MDWise, Covering Kids and Families LaPorte County, Deliverance and Victory Outreach Ministries, Michigan City Area Schools, HealthLinc, the LaPorte County YMCA, Sodexo, American Licorice, and Purdue University Northwest.
Volunteers are needed on August 9 and 10 to assist in sorting school supplies and on August 11 for the Back-to-School Rally. Information on volunteering, sponsorships, and exhibiting at the Rally may be found at http://educateMC.net/backtoschoolrally.