Helping Students Start School With All The Tools

Monday, 17 June 2019 06:53

Donations are being accepted for the annual Supplies for Students campaign. United Way Oxford helps to raise money every year so less fortunate kids in our area are fully equipped with supplies when they start the school year.

WOODSTOCK - United Way Oxford is collecting donations for the annual Supplies for Students campaign.

They raise money every year so less fortunate kids in our area are fully equipped with supplies when they start the school year. Supplies for Students is a collaboration of several local organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Operations Sharing and you can donate to the program through the United Way Oxford.

Executive Director for United Way Kelly Gilson says being fully prepared can make a huge difference for students.

"One of the many reasons we came together as a group of local service providers to revisit the way we were doing the work was we knew that students needed to be ready to start school on equal footing with other students. the first day waiting for the bus they needed their supplies, they needed their backpack, and they needed to be ready to engage in the school year like other children and this program allows that. It allows it in such a dignified manner because families and the children can go and shop for what they need and it helps to cover some of those costs. For some families that might be that they need a backpack, for an older high school student maybe a scientific calculator. But maybe they don't need loosely some crayons because they have a lot left over from last year. So it really puts everything into the hands of the parents and the students to make their own decisions based on their particular needs."

Gilson explains why they want to get this message out now.

"We want families that are just ending the school year to remember that there is going to be help available and that help will be in august. I also want to mention Staples in a huge partner in this and that is where the opportunity lies, and the families can go shopping and have the same experience that other families have."

You can find more information on you can help and donate online here.