By Terra Avilla
As our county prepares to go back to school, there may be a lot of things that are going to be different for the parents and students. However, one constant is that some our of local students are going to need a little extra help when it comes to buying the necessities for their school year. Luckily, we have an organization that is dedicated to helping students acquire the goodies they need to start the school year effectively.
We all should know by now what a staple the Susanville Salvation Army is in our community. However one of their events that I find the most endearing is their Back-to-School Shopping Event.
Through this event families can seek assistance obtaining necessary items for their child’s needs.
I remember cruising Shopko with my mom and my two sisters as she haphazardly held onto our shopping list. Seven binders, three backpacks, two graphing calculators, three lunch pails, pencils and glue sticks up the wahzoo, the list was pretty intense. And expensive.
Both my parents worked and the financial burden it put on our family, was still pretty noticeable. Now, add in back-to-school, shoes, clothing and jackets.
It’s no wonder some of our families need a little help.
As I get Peach ready to start her first day of Kindergarten, I look at how excited she is to finally be able to wear her “school shoes” and use her new backpack. She literally tucks in her backpack every night, counting down the days until she can show it off at school.
The thought that many of our kids don’t get this sort of excitement, saddens me. They will using the same holey backpack they have had for the past couple of years, and new clothes are definitely out of the question.
The supplies they need will be an area of embarrassment as they will have to tell the teacher they simply cannot afford the binders or tissue. And if you don’t believe me ask any teacher. I guarantee you they have had students, no matter the grade they teach in, tell them their family simply cannot afford school supplies.
This though, is why I love the Salvation Army’s Back-to-School event.
They quietly step in and assist those families. They provide backpacks and pencils. They provide the protractors and rulers. They give our kids glue sticks and craft supplies. More importantly, they give our children a sense of normalcy. They take away any embarrassment.
This drive focuses on the fact that all of our county’s children deserve to have that special “first day feeling.” And that is pretty priceless.
So guys, if you missed the drive, you can still help. The Susanville Salvation Army is always is looking for money donations so that they can supplement their donations, or you can call their office (257-0314) and ask what they need. They are sweet people who would be very appreciative of your help.
Year after year, Juanita and her team, unfailingly assist our local families with their back to school needs. With the chaos that has preceded this year, undoubtedly her team could use some assistance to continue to have successful back to school shopping events, which are one of the reasons, I love the place we live.
