For the ninth year in a row, the Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has been a great success.
More than 138 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected this year.
This drive, originally begun by the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through J Cuts located at 505 Howe Ave., downtown Shelton.
Each year beginning July 1, J Cuts, owned by Jennifer Sneider, is the main collection location for supplies such as book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper, folders and more.
“The outpouring kindness of the community always warms my heart,” says Sneider. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or ten dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how it all balances out for children in need!”
Minuteman Press located at 427B Howard Ave., Shelton donated collection posters again this year.
For the first time this year, Bright Horizons Day Care, 3 Corporate Drive and First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road, both of Shelton, held their own collections and dropped off donations.
In addition, Barb’s Corner Consignment located at 25 West Main St. in Ansonia, joined the drive this year by taking up a collection.
For the second year in a row, coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP), the dental plan for HUSKY Health. They provided oral kits each containing a tooth brush, toothpaste, floss and oral health education.
The CTDHP is the dental plan for HUSKY Health and promotes good oral hygiene to more than 700,000 children and adults on the HUSKY Health plan. For the last two years, CTDHP has partnered with community agencies, primary care providers and OB/GYN offices across the state to share oral health kits with children and pregnant women who are HUSKY Health members.
According to Romaniuk, “The oral health kits contain tips to keep the mouth healthy as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth to maintain a person’s general health. The beginning of the school year traditionally correlates with starting new routines and habits. This seems like the perfect opportunity to spread the oral health message of the importance of daily oral hygiene and scheduling a dental exam.”
HUSKY Health members can contact the CTDHP call center at 855- CT- DENTAL or visit www.ctdhp.com for help connecting to one of the 1900 dental providers available.
Children receiving donations from this community drive are serviced by TEAM, Inc. and Irving School in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center (LNV/PCRC), and the Shelton School Readiness Program, all in Shelton; along with BHcare in Ansonia.
“The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is forever grateful for receiving backpacks and dental kits to support our families in need,” says Jennifer DeLeon, Unit Director. “The smiles on our member’s faces are absolutely priceless as they feel so much more confident getting ready for their first day of school!”
Over 250 oral kits were given to all students who received back to school donations, as well as the Milford Department of Children & Families office.
J Cuts will be the main collection location beginning Jan. 1, 2016 for the 10th Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. Although this community drive officially kicks off on January 1st, donations are accepted at any time. For health and safety reasons, donations must be new stuffed monkeys with tags.
This drive will benefit the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive. The more stuffed monkeys collected, the more donations can be shared with additional agencies who service children.
To celebrate their 10th year in a row, coordinators are planning a special event at J Cuts.
Any individual, group, business or organization is welcome to join in the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive by holding their own collection.
Call Jennifer Sneider at 203 – 924-4107 with questions or for more information.
