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Crayons to Classrooms, a nonprofit that collects and distributes an inventory of donated supplies and surplus products for use in the classroom, is leading a group that includes more than a dozen nonprofits, churches and grassroots organizations to collect school supplies for children impacted by the 15 tornadoes confirmed in the Dayton area on Memorial Day. See list of items needed below.
The drive continues through Friday, Aug. 16.
“(Some of) these kids had little to begin with. Now they have nothing,” Hargrove said. “We are really trying to give them a sense of normalcy. One anchor for them can be their school and their learning.”
WHY ARE SCHOOL SUPPLIES BEING SOUGHT?
Many of those involved in the effort were among those who stepped up in the days following the tornadoes that destroyed or damaged more than 2,200 structures in Montgomery County alone.
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Rev. Robert Lyons Jr. of The Market Place Movement Christian Church expressed the need for school supplies in an earlier article on tornado relief efforts.
"How do we make sure that families who have lost everything can get backpacks and uniforms and school supplies?" he told this news organization for a related article earlier this month. "August is going to here before you know it. If we can take one small thing away and let (parents) focus on those major items."
DaQuawna Farrow, a community volunteer and elder at Restoration Church, said many Miami Valley families continue to recover from the storms.
“This effort will hopefully relieve them from having to worry about securing supplies for their students as they return to school,” she said. “It is just another way that we can come together as a community to show solidarity as we continue to rebuild.”
Hargrove said he continues to be wowed by the Dayton area’s reaction to tornado relief efforts.
“We are blown away,” he said. “They (people) care. They see the need.”
A list of companies that includes Wright-Patt Credit Union and ACCO have stepped up to help, and so have individuals, he said.
There are several ways to help.
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“In an ideal world, they would fill a back pack and bring it to us or they can donate the supplies to use, and we will fill the bags or they could donate financially to us.”
HOW ARE SUPPLIES BE COLLECTED
Links on how to help are located on Declare.org.
It is possible to adopt a school or part of a school.
✏️Call Hargrove at 937-528-6424 or email d.hargrove@dc2c.org to schedule drop offs or pick-ups by Aug. 16.
✏️Supplies not packed in book bags must be dropped off by Wednesday, Aug. 7. Contact Hargrove.
✏️Checks can be sent to:
Crayons to the Classrooms
Attn: Laura Rapoch/Disaster Relief Fund
1750 Woodman Drive
Dayton, OH 45420
WHAT IS NEEDED?
The backpack lists include the following broken down by grade levels.
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PreK/early learners backpacks should each contain:
✏️ 1 early reader book
✏️ 1 Box Flash Cards, Assorted
✏️ 1 Package Construction Paper, Pad, 9” × 12”, 50 Count
✏️ 1 notebook, wide-ruled, 70 count
✏️ 1 Sharpener, Pencil, Double Barrel, Canister
✏️ 2 Glue Sticks, Dries Clear, .28 oz.
✏️ 1 Box Crayons, 24 count
✏️ 1 dozen Pencils, #2, Unsharpened, All Wood
✏️ 2 Erasers, Pink, Large
✏️ 1 Box Markers, 10 count, Washable, Wide-Tipped
✏️ 1 Pair Scissors, 5 1/4″, Blunt Tip
✏️ 4 Pencils, Beginner, w/Eraser
✏️ 1 Box Facial Tissues
✏️ 1 Container of disinfectant wipes
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Elementary backpacks should each contain:
Credit: BRAD LEE / STAFF
Credit: BRAD LEE / STAFF
✏️ 1 dozen Pencils, #2, Unsharpened, All Wood
✏️ 1 Eraser, Pink, Large, Latex Free
✏️ 1 Sharpener, Pencil & Crayon, Double Barrel, Canister
✏️ 1 Ruler, 12”, Plastic, Inch & Cm, Center Holes, Asst.
✏️ 1 Glue Stick, Washable, White, .26 oz
✏️ 1 Notebook, single subject, wide-ruled, perforated, 70 Ct.
✏️ 3 Folders, 2 Pocket, 11 Point, Asst. Colors
✏️ 1 Box Crayons, 24 Count
✏️ 1 box Colored Pencils, 12 count
✏️ 1 Box Markers, 10 count, Washable, Wide-Tipped
✏️ 1 Scissors, Pointed, 5-1/4”
✏️ 1 Highlighter, Chisel Tip, Yellow
✏️ 1 box facial tissues
✏️ 1 Container of disinfectant wipes
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Junior high and high school backpacks should each contain:
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
✏️ 1 dozen Pencils, #2, Unsharpened, All Wood
✏️ 1 Eraser, Pink, Large, Latex Free
✏️ 1 Sharpener, Pencil & Crayon, Double Barrel, Canister
✏️ 1 Ruler, 12”, Plastic, Inch & Cm, Center Holes, Asst.
✏️ 1 Glue Stick, Washable, White, .26 oz
✏️ 3 Notebooks, single subject, college-ruled, perforated, 70 Ct.
✏️ 3 Folders, 2 Pocket, assorted colors
✏️ 1 box Colored Pencils, 12 count
✏️ 1 Highlighter, Chisel Tip, Yellow
✏️ 1 Dry Erase Marker
✏️ 1 Box Facial Tissues
✏️ 1 Container of disinfectant wipes
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