Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
still needs many items
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FIELD DAY- Students at Ann Whitney Elementary School enjoyed a respite from the class room on Friday, May 16. Because the track at the football field is torn up currently for repairs, the school was not able to hold its annual end-of-school-year track meet. Instead, they organized a wide variety of agility challenging activities in the open area behind the high school ag building. The kids enjoyed hopping through hoops, jump rope races, egg balancing races and even water gun fights. Classes will turn out for the summer this Thursday at noon.
Staff Photos |
That was the only word Tina Dittrich could say when she discovered that anonymous donors had provided almost half of the money needed to provide school supplies for every elementary student in Ann Whitney Elementary School.
Dittrich, a fifth-grade teach-er at the Hamilton ISD campus, is spearheading the “HOPE for Kids” drive.
“We have received $4,600 in cash donations,” she said, “with $3,000 of it coming from one donor. The kindness and generosity of this community is amazing.”
In addition to the cash donations, Lucy Lee, treasurer for the group, reported that all pocket folders had been donated, along with over 700 zipper plastic bags, 10 boxes of Kleenex, two backpacks and numerous other smaller items... In addition, another anonymous donor has donated 100 of the needed backpacks.
“At this point, the items we most need are backpacks, binders and money to finish out the shopping list,” Lee said. “However, for those who want to donate smaller items such as glue, crayons, pencils, erasers and so forth, we can always use them. We want everyone to be able to donate and be a part of this project for our kids.”
“HOPE for Kids” is a program conceived by Dittrich to provide all the items on the elementary child’s school supply list. Because many parents in her fifth grade classes have been unable to afford such items as backpacks, pens, crayons, notebooks, etc., Dittrich felt compelled to bring her concerns to others who might be willing to help.
And as a result, local businesses and individuals have responded in such a manner that Dittrich is now convinced that no elementary student will have to purchase school supplies this fall.
In addition to school supplies, “HOPE for Kids” will provide required immunizations, dental screening, vision and hearing tests on the day supplies are distributed in August prior to the opening of school. Although all supplies and screenings will be administered at no cost, parents will be allowed to pay a $5 per family voluntary fee to cover materials for students who arrive during the school year without supplies.
“With the exception of enough backpacks and zippered notebooks, we can already purchase and provide everything on the list,” she said.
Zippered notebooks, often referred to by one of the popular brands as “Trapper Keepers,” are the most expensive item, generally selling for $15-$20. Intermediate-sized backpacks, which are also one of the more expensive items on the list, retail for around $10.
“If individuals or groups in our community want to help, these are the two items we can really use,” Dittrich added. “If they prefer, checks or cash may be taken to either Lee Healthcare, First State Bank or Calvary Baptist Church.”
The next meeting of the group is slated for Thursday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lee Healthcare Conference Center on the square.