Wednesday's Internet Edition, August 27, 2008.
free school supplies Aug. 16
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| REPUBLICAN CLUB- The Republican Club held its second annual fundraiser last Saturday at Jt. John’s Lutheran Church in Hamilton. The event raised funds for the local Republican Club, and was a forum for candidates to speak about upcoming campaigns. Bill Shipman, president of the club, is pictured with guest speakers (l-r): Hamilton County Commissioner Dickie Clary, Gregg Bewley (candidate for Hamilton County Sheriff), Andy Rittler (representing the office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn) and State Representative Sid Miller. |
The Back to School Event will be held in the Ann Whitney Elementary School cafetorium from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will include free hearing, vision, dental and scoliosis screenings as well as other activities for students and parents.
Hamilton General Hospital will provide hearing and vision screenings, while local chiropractors will screen students for scoliosis. First Baptist Church will provide dental screenings and also give each child a dental kit.
HGH will also have information available regarding signing up for CHIPS. Those who want to apply for CHIPS should have one document proving household income. This document can be a pay-stub issued in the last 60 days; a most-recent IRS tax return including Schedule C if self-employed; a letter from the employer; cash assistance receipt; most recent Social Security statement; or child support check stub or receipt. The proof of income is only required for CHIPS and no one will ask for personal information for the free health screenings.
Children will also be able to sign up for Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts at the Back to School Event.
“All 430 or so of our elementary students will receive all of the school supplies that the classroom teachers have requested,” said Tina Dittrich, who organized HOPE for Kids. “They may also receive backpacks but that will be determined this week.
“We are requesting a $5 per family donation if possible to defray the cost for incoming students, so we can provide school supplies for new students as well,” she said. “And of course, any donation is greatly appreciated and can be taken to First State Bank.”
The idea for HOPE for Kids “just came to me,” Dittrich said. “Something in church, something the preacher said, started the wheels turning.
“It just seemed to me that there were lots of small groups in Hamilton trying to help and meeting singular needs very well,” she said. “I thought we should do something like a school supplies drive, and decided to have a meeting.”
So Dittrich called every church in the Hamilton phone book and the first meeting yielded great enthusiasm for the project. Dittrich’s initial thought was to meet the needs of the 250 low socio-economic students, which comprise about 57% of the elementary enrollment. But the group decided not to single out any student, but to provide school supplies for all of the children. In addition, the group plans for HOPE for Kids to be an ongoing program. They plan to continue it next year and even plan to have a booth at this year’s Dove Festival.
“I don’t know that this could have come at a better time, with the gas prices so high,” Dittrich said. “We would love for all of the students and parents to come and take advantage of this Back to School Event. It is intended to be a gift from the community to all of the children.”