Published: August 19, 2008 05:31 pm      

Back to School Basics helps record number of students

ADA — Over 850 Pontotoc County students received packets of school supplies and backpacks as they started the new school year.

Local businesses, churches, organizations and individuals donated more than $10,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to the success of the project.

Individuals and members of several organizations volunteered to help with special fundraisers, wrapping supply packets, setting up the distribution center and helping families receive supplies on distribution days.

Many churches designated special offerings and held ingatherings of supplies.

One business held “casual days” where the employees’ dress code for one day was casual wear in exchange for a donation to Back to School Basics.

The Salvation Army Ladies Auxiliary also distributed 380 gift cards used by families to help purchase new shoes from Payless Shoe Source.

Some of the proceeds of the annual Salvation Army Christmas Silver Tea and a donation from Ada Sunrise Rotary provided the money to purchase the gift cards.

Back to School Basics was initiated 16 years ago as a service project of the Ada Sunrise Rotary Club. Proceeds from the Fireball Classic 5K-10K race held each Fourth of July are used to purchase backpacks. This year’s contribution was $4,000.

“I want everyone who had any part, even a small part in this project, to know how much their gifts of money as well as time and energy are appreciated,” Chair of Back to School Basics Suzanne McFarlane said.

“The first day of school is so important to the students and it is critical that they come to school feeling good about themselves. Having supplies to put in their desk is one way they feel they can actually show their teachers and friends that they have come to class ready to learn.”

The Salvation Army office is still getting daily requests for assistance with school supplies.

Plans are being made to try to meet this need in the coming weeks.

It is not too late to donate money or materials to the program, McFarlane said. Checks may be mailed to Ada Sunrise Rotary Club, P.O. Box 601 or to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 36, both of Ada, Okla., 74821.

To contribute supplies, phone 580-332-3564 or 580-332-1377 and arrangements will be made to pick up donations.