Published: Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Students supplied with school basics
South County groups are aiming to ensure 1,000 Edmonds School District students in need will start the school year with a backpack filled with school supplies.
The Family Center of South Snohomish County, Lynnwood Police Department, the Windermere Foundation and others are organizing a Back-to-School Supply Drive and Resource Fair.
Through a donation from The Hazel Miller Foundation, organizers purchased backpacks and are asking the community to volunteer to help fill the backpacks. Kimberly-Clark donated Kleenex tissue for students.
Last year, the groups served 800 students with backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. This year's goal is 1,000 students.
It takes a coordinated effort among individuals, organizations and other groups to meet students' needs, said district spokeswoman DJ Jakala. This year's donation from The Hazel Miller Foundation was greatly appreciated, Jakala added.
Seeing the expressions on parents' faces after the financial burden of school supplies is lifted makes your day, said Tonya Tye, a managing broker for Windermere.
“The families are so appreciative; they really need this,” Tye said.
Families are asked to register as being “in need” -- however they define that, said Carmen Rasmussen, program coordinator for The Family Center of South Snohomish County.
Low-income families, ones where parents are unemployed or hit with medical concerns and bills, recent immigrants and single parents have benefited from this drive.
People can drop off school supplies at nine locations around South County until mid-August.
The Lynnwood Police Department is integrating donations into the Aug. 2 National Night Out. Some registered block parties will collect supplies.
Helping out is the right thing to do, said police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions.
“One way to show we're here to help is by being available,” Sessions said.
Edmonds School District students can register through their school as in need of assistance with school supplies. They can pick them up during the annual Back-to-School Resource Fair on Aug. 17. The fair is scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood. Students also can get haircuts, and information about support services will be available, including dental and vision.
It's important for people to realize families need assistance all year long, Rasmussen said.
“If we can provide the needed school supplies for children when they start school, they will be in a better position to learn, and less likely to be stigmatized,” she said.
How to help
Donations for new school supplies are accepted at the following locations:
• Lynnwood branch of the Sno-Isle Library, 19200 44th Ave. W
• Lynnwood Police Department, 19321 44th Ave. W
• Edmonds School District administrative building, 20420 68th Ave. W
• Community Health Center of Lynnwood, 4111 194th St. SW
• Red Onion Burgers, 23209 56th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace
• The Family Center of South Snohomish County, 6330 195th St. SW, Lynnwood
• Windermere Real Estate offices:
- Alderwood Mall, 18811 28th Ave. W, Suite J, Lynnwood
- Lynnwood, 4211 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Suite 110
- Edmonds, 210 Fifth Ave. S, Suite 102
The Family Center of South Snohomish County, Lynnwood Police Department, the Windermere Foundation and others are organizing a Back-to-School Supply Drive and Resource Fair.
Through a donation from The Hazel Miller Foundation, organizers purchased backpacks and are asking the community to volunteer to help fill the backpacks. Kimberly-Clark donated Kleenex tissue for students.
Last year, the groups served 800 students with backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. This year's goal is 1,000 students.
It takes a coordinated effort among individuals, organizations and other groups to meet students' needs, said district spokeswoman DJ Jakala. This year's donation from The Hazel Miller Foundation was greatly appreciated, Jakala added.
Seeing the expressions on parents' faces after the financial burden of school supplies is lifted makes your day, said Tonya Tye, a managing broker for Windermere.
“The families are so appreciative; they really need this,” Tye said.
Families are asked to register as being “in need” -- however they define that, said Carmen Rasmussen, program coordinator for The Family Center of South Snohomish County.
Low-income families, ones where parents are unemployed or hit with medical concerns and bills, recent immigrants and single parents have benefited from this drive.
People can drop off school supplies at nine locations around South County until mid-August.
The Lynnwood Police Department is integrating donations into the Aug. 2 National Night Out. Some registered block parties will collect supplies.
Helping out is the right thing to do, said police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions.
“One way to show we're here to help is by being available,” Sessions said.
Edmonds School District students can register through their school as in need of assistance with school supplies. They can pick them up during the annual Back-to-School Resource Fair on Aug. 17. The fair is scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood. Students also can get haircuts, and information about support services will be available, including dental and vision.
It's important for people to realize families need assistance all year long, Rasmussen said.
“If we can provide the needed school supplies for children when they start school, they will be in a better position to learn, and less likely to be stigmatized,” she said.
How to help
Donations for new school supplies are accepted at the following locations:
• Lynnwood branch of the Sno-Isle Library, 19200 44th Ave. W
• Lynnwood Police Department, 19321 44th Ave. W
• Edmonds School District administrative building, 20420 68th Ave. W
• Community Health Center of Lynnwood, 4111 194th St. SW
• Red Onion Burgers, 23209 56th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace
• The Family Center of South Snohomish County, 6330 195th St. SW, Lynnwood
• Windermere Real Estate offices:
- Alderwood Mall, 18811 28th Ave. W, Suite J, Lynnwood
- Lynnwood, 4211 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Suite 110
- Edmonds, 210 Fifth Ave. S, Suite 102