A dozen local organizations have announced a community-wide school supply drive, which runs through August 10. 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 Walmart and Al’s Supermarkets, have set up collection bins to accept donations from their employees and the general public. Additional collection sites are located at First Trust Credit Union, Horizon Bank, LaPorte Savings Bank, Members Advantage Credit Union, the Michigan City Area Schools Administration Building, Beyond the Beach Salon, Captain Ed’s Candy Island, Foster Printing, Ivy Tech Community College, Jazzercise, Life Care Center of Michigan City, Michigan City City Hall, Northwest Athletic Club, St. Johns United Church of Christ, and The News Dispatch.
Businesses, churches, and other organizations are invited to join in the collection drive. Supplies collected by community organizations and individuals may be brought to Elston Middle School’s Cafeteria on Tuesday, August 11, 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 the supplies will take place during a Citywide Back-to-School Rally on Thursday, August 13 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, the City of Michigan City, Deliverance and Victory Outreach Ministries, Michigan City Area Schools, HealthLinc, the United Way of LaPorte County, the LaPorte County YMCA, Sodexo, and Purdue University North Central.
Volunteers are needed on August 12 to assist in sorting school supplies and on August 13 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.