This month, various organizations and businesses throughout the community have been sponsoring a drive to collect bookbags and school supplies for underprivileged children in the county, and there is still time to get involved and be accepted to receive the free materials.
On July 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Bethel United Methodist Church will have an application time in the family life center at the church.
An effort held each year just before school starts back, Dawson County Family Connection, KARE for Kids, The Father’s House and Bethel United Methodist Church have been partnering together to help children in need for the past three years.
“Applications this year have really grown,” said Marjean Miller of Family Connection. “Through this project, it is our intention to send children in need of supplies back to school with new materials to offset the hindrance of not being properly prepared for the year.”
Miller noted that family connection and other sponsors involved understand the importance of a child starting the school year off on the right foot with appropriate and sufficient materials.
In order to qualify for a free bookbag and school supplies, applicants must live in Dawson County and be a student enrolled in one of the county’s schools.
Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria: low income, student in foster care or classified “homeless” by the school system.
Qualified applicants will be able to claim their materials from The Father’s House from 7-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. on Aug. 7, and from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 8.
The Father’s House is located on Hightower Pkwy., off Hwy. 53 East.
Miller added that this year local hair salons have joined in the effort to provide free school supplies by offering free or discounted services in exchange for bookbags. Salon participation lasts this week only, the last day is July 18.
Participating salons include Platinum Scissors, Salon 08/Mario’s Hair Salon, J Brooke, J Thomas, Salon Zoya, John’s Hair Salon and Lava Hair Studio.
For more information, call Nancy Stites at (706) 265-1981 or Jennifer Newkirk at (706) 216-5801.