Mary Zimmerman, preschool intervention specialist at Primary Village North, said the Centerville Schools are collecting school supplies for the children in affected communities.
“Our goal is to make the process of going back to school easier for these families in need,” she said. “Although we have communicated vigorously with our school population, we are finding it difficult to reach out to others outside of our school family.”
The school district is partnering with Crayons for Classrooms, a local nonprofit that collects and distributes donated supplies and surplus products for use in the classroom.
In the case of the Memorial Day tornadoes, Crayons for Classrooms has taken on the role of lead agency in coordinating school-related response efforts for impacted communities, Zimmerman said.
Each of Centerville’s schools will collect supplies on scheduled dates and times through July 31. Centerville parent Jane Young is helping to lead the effort and can be reached at youje7@hotmail.com or 937-903-1164 for a list of supplies needed.
The Oakwood school community is supporting Trotwood students impacted by the Memorial Day tornadoes, and is planning to donate 400 filled backpacks to the Trotwood Madison Early Learning Center.
Smith Elementary first-grade teacher Mary Linzmeier is spearheading the effort.
“Many families in the areas were touched by the tornadoes and have enough on their plates to get their home up and running right now. I thought if we could make the burden a bit lighter, it would be helpful,” Linzmeier said.
Anyone can donate a filled backpack, an empty backpack or any of the needed supplies. Donations should be dropped off in the blacktop area of Smith Elementary, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 5-8 at 1701 Shafor Blvd.
Contact Linzmeier at linzmeier.mary@oakwoodschools.org for a list of supplies needed.
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