When it comes to children in need, the Valley never lets them down! For a seventh 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 110 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!”
Other collection locations include Minuteman Press, 427B Howard Avenue, Shelton and Haynes Materials locations in Seymour and Oxford.
Minuteman Press, in Shelton, is also donating collection posters.
For a third year in a row, Dave Haddad of the Shelton Lion’s Club, is leading his organization in a weekly collection. Book bags and supplies can be donated during free summer concerts held Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Huntington Green.
Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own.
Children who benefited from this community effort last year included those serviced by T.E.A.M., Inc. of Derby and the Boys and Girls Clubs located in Shelton and Ansonia.
J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. The 8th Annual Drive will begin Jan. 1, 2014.
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.
