I am proud to be working with Elmer’s and their Champion for Kids organization on the #BagItForward campaign to provide school supplies for ALL the children who need them.
There has been a lot of excitement in my house about going back to school. My oldest is finishing her last year of junior high and will be heading to high school next year. My middle daughter will be graduating from 6th grade and heading to junior high. My youngest is already in 3rd grade and I swear I don’t know where on earth the last 8 years have gone. With all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for school, it is easy to forget about all those families who might not be as excited about the new year. While we are filling our backpacks with school supplies, there are way too many kids out there who can’t even afford to have a backpack.
I am in such a unique position… and one that I am trying very hard not to take for granted… in that I can actually afford to purchase all the school supplies (as well as lunch bags and new shoes and clothes) my kids need. I realize that the best way I can give back to my community is to throw a few extra notebooks, crayons and glue sticks into my shopping cart that can make a huge difference in the lives of some local children who would otherwise start school without the necessary tools they need to learn. Check out the album of my shopping trip on Google+.
I know that here in California we have had tremendous budget cuts. It’s not only sad, but it’s really pathetic. Our school can’t even afford to purchase school supplies for our children. Our classes have moved from every child having their own box of pens, crayons and erasers to having community boxes of supplies that they all have to share. Our teachers are buying supplies with money from their own pockets… and lesson plans change to accomodate the lack of colored paper and laminating supplies. Do you have any idea how much the toner costs for just one of the office copy machines?
Unacceptable! Our children don’t deserve this!
So how am I making a difference? I’m glad you asked.
I have teamed up with Elmer’s Champion for Kids and their Bag It Forward program. What is Champion for Kids all about? It’s about standing up for our children and giving them the opportunities that EVERY child deserves. I urge you to think about all those supplies you’ve been buying for your kids… and maybe drop a few extra into your shopping cart to donate to your school… or to a child or a shelter who needs them the most. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it’s a great way of teaching your children about caring and giving. When we give back, we ALL benefit.
My girls and I have chosen to decorate a bin for my daughter’s classroom that we filled with school supplies. I’m urging all the parents who have the ability to keep this box filled during the year so anyone who needs supplies will have them at their disposal. No child should feel embarassed to come to school without - and if they need supplies to bring home so they can complete homework assignments, they can feel comfortable taking what they need from the box.
We also put together a backpack full of school supplies that we will be donating to a child who would otherwise be starting her school year without one. It isn’t as hard as you think to find these kids. Just ask around - your school office, the teachers, your church or synogogue, even a local family shelter. There are so many of these kids out there who just need a little extra help. Buying an inexpensive backpack and some school supplies might not seem like a lot to you… but it’s huge for a kid who just wants to fit in.
Seeing my daughter’s face when I told her the box was going to stay at the school for the kids who can’t afford to buy supplies at home was priceless. She was so excited and wanted to bring it in herself. She felt good. I felt good. It doesn’t have to take a lot to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Need some ideas? Check out the Elmer’s Bag it Forward Pinterest board for some really creative ways to donate school supplies in your community. Follow Elmer’s on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the amazing things they are doing.
I love how your girls decorated the bin! So fun to get students involved in giving back to school. I know what you mean about budget cuts. Seems like there are more every year and programs like this are so important for helping out our classrooms and young learners.