When it comes to children in need, the Valley never lets them down! For the eighth year in a row, the Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has begun again.
Between now and Friday, Aug. 30, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.
Last year, over 76 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected.
This drive, originally started by the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave., downtown Shelton.
J Cuts is the main collection location. Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from pre-school to high school. All book bags and supplies must be brand new.
“The outpouring of kindness within 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, in Shelton, is also donating collection posters.
Last year, Dave Haddad of the Shelton Lion’s Club, led his organization in a weekly collection. Book bags and supplies were collected during free summer concerts held Wednesday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m. on the Huntington Green.
The Lions Club will be holding collections this summer as well during its “Concerts Under The Stars” series taking place every Wednesday evening.
Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations.
Children who received donations last year are serviced by T.E.A.M., Inc. and Irving School, both in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Area Congregations Together (ACT)/Spooner House, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center, all in Shelton.
J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. The 9th Annual Drive will begin Jan 1, 2015. Although this community drive officially kicks off on Jan. 1, donations are accepted at any time. Donations must be new, stuffed monkeys preferably with tags.
The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive.
For more information on either community drive, call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203 – 924-4107.
