United Way Oxford Accepting Donations For Supplies For Students

Sunday, 25 August 2019 at 06:42

The initiative helps raise money for youth to buy supplies ahead of the school year. The program is for students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6, as well as for students in Grades 7 to 12.

OXFORD COUNTY - Donations are now being accepted for United Way Oxford's Supplies For Students.

The initiative helps raise money for youth to buy supplies ahead of the school year.

Resource Development Coordinator Mike Crabbe says it also provides financial relief for families.

"This allows them the chance to go out and pick the things that they do want. Maybe they have a backpack that's still great from last year and they want to get a scientific calculator this year because those are so expensive. So it allows them the freedom to choose what it is that they want for them, and it also gives them the chance to go out and shop and actually buy, that experience on its own is not something that everyone necessarily has the opportunity to do."

Crabbe says there are a lot of students in Oxford County who are in need of a little extra help to get supplies to start the school year.

The program is for students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6, as well as for students in Grades 7 to 12. Students from JK through Grade 6 will receive a $35.00 gift card from Staples and students in Grades 7 to 12 will receive a $50.00 gift card.

Summer Student Abby Belleth says there are different community partners who came together for this cause.

"About four years ago many people in Oxford remember the different programs we had all kind of going on at the same time across the County, but now we're all working together. So Salvation Army Tillsonburg, Salvation Army Woodstock are two of our partners. Operation Sharing, Calvary Church Woodstock, Children's Aid of Oxford County, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters in Oxford County."

If anyone is interested in making a donation, they can head to United Way Oxford's website.

Crabbe says you can donate either from your phone or on a computer from home.

You can also register for the program by calling 211.