Binders and Markers and Calculators, Oh My
Dear Leading Ladies,
In our efforts to be relevant and make a difference, even in the face of our not infrequent sense of hopelessness and helplessness, we are turning our focus to the children in our communities who will be returning to school in a few days, many of them without their basic needs filled – some because that is always the case, some because of recent cuts in funding and resources to organizations and agencies that usually provide aid.
We reached out and asked where the need is greatest. Here is what we learned.
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Wellspring House in Gloucester serves 140 families and they’re focusing on children in grades K-8 at this time. Katie O’Learly told us they are collecting supplies for first grade, third grade, and fifth grade for East Veterans School in Gloucester.
For first graders, they need backpacks large enough to hold a 2” binder; 24 count Crayola crayons; 8 count basic color Crayola markers; headphones for use with school Chromebooks, and classroom supplies of wipes, tissues, sanitizer, hand soap, and healthy snacks.
For third graders, they are collecting sets of four different colored folders, packs of Ticonderoga pencils (pre-sharpened), sets of headphones to keep at school, marbled composition notebooks, wipes, and tissues, as well as optional crayons, colored pencils, markers, and healthy snacks.
For fifth graders, they need two-pocket red, purple, blue and yellow folders; single subject spiral bound notebooks; Ticonderoga pencils; black skinny Expo markers; and paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and tissues for the classroom.
Wellspring also needs children’s socks for their clients and will happily accept Amazon and Walmart gift cards so parents and high school students can do some school shopping themselves. Items can be dropped off at Wellspring House, 302 Essex Street, Gloucester. September 8 is the deadline.
HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) has a wish list on their website that includes items needed for schoolchildren. These can be dropped off at HAWC, 27 Congress St #204, Salem, MA. Director Sara Stanley says cash, gift cards and Wish List items are most appreciated.
Lisa Watkins at Beverly Bootstraps told us that they are collecting calculators for juniors and seniors by Sept. 5. Donations can be dropped off at 35 Park Street, Beverly. (We missed the deadline for their backpack drive.)
Jan Plourde, director of the REAL literacy program in Lynn, seeks glue sticks, Elmer’s glue, No 2 pencils (Ticonderoga), Crayola crayons (24 pack), Crayola colored pencils (24 pack), Cray-pas, Model Magic, scissors, and 12” x 18” white construction paper, 12” x 18” colored construction paper. Some of these are for at-home art activities, since art classes in many schools have been curtailed. Supplies or gift cards to Walmart, Target, or Marshall’s can be dropped off at REAL, 17 Atlantic St, Lynn, MA. Cash donations can be made here.
We know there are other organizations collecting items for students who need them. We encourage you to reach out in your communities to find out where you can help.
All the best,
Therese (she/her/hers)
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)
Leading Ladies Executive Team
