The 10th annual Tools 4 School Giveaway and Summerfest is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Sixth and Center streets in Ironton.

Hazel Jacob said since the program began a decade ago approximately 15,700 backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies have been given away to area children with the largest percentage of students from Ironton, Rock Hill, Dawson-Bryant, Symmes Valley or South Point school districts.

“We attempt to give away 2,000 a year,” she said. “We have backpacks for kids in kindergarten to twelfth-grade.”

Roughly 1,800 backpacks were given away in 2013 and children must be present to select their own backpacks.

Inflatable games, free food, music and informational resources will be at the event.

The Tools 4 School and Summerfest is coordinated and hosted by St. Paul Lutheran, First United Methodist, Christ Episcopal and First Presbyterian churches in downtown Ironton. In addition, All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington, participates in the annual mission event by collecting and assembling 1,000 backpacks as well as volunteering for the day.

“A lot of organizations, clubs and agencies help,” Jacob said. “It truly is a community effort. We have had people in line at 7 a.m. before. The enormity of this event is amazing.”

Donations are always accepted in order to meet the distribution goal. For more information regarding the 2014 Tools 4 School and Summerfest and how to help ensure children throughout Lawrence County are equipped with basic school supplies contact Nancy Corn at 740-533-2676 or St. Paul Lutheran Church at 740-532-4727.

Leftover supplies, Jacob said, are given to the health department or local teachers.

“We give away a lot on the day of the event,” Jacob said, “but after that they still trickle out. It’s a worthwhile cause that everyone enjoys being part of.”

 

How You Can Help:

• Consider a monetary donation to this project

• Donate backpacks

• Donate school supplies

• Assist with packing or distributing bags

• Consider hosting an informational table

• Provide entertainment for the event

 

Backpack contents list by grades

Grades: K-1

• Folder with pockets

• Crayons (24 pack)

• No. 2 pencils (5)

• Blunt scissors

• Glue sticks (2) or glue (8oz)

• Pencil box

• Big eraser

 

Grades: 2-5

• Notebook paper

• Crayons (24 pack)

• Spiral notebooks (5)

• Scissors

• No. 2 pencils (5)

• Folder with pockets (3)

• Glue sticks (2) or glue (8oz)

• Colored pencils (12 pk)

• Pencil-top erasers (2)

 

Grades: 6-12

• Notebook paper

• Spiral notebooks (5)

• No. 2 pencils (5)

• Hi-lighter (2)

• Pens (3)

• Folder with pockets (5)

• 1” 3-Ring binder (1)

• Pencil-top erasers (2)

 

Make checks payable to St. Paul Lutheran Church / Tools 4 School and mail to: St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 601, Ironton, OH 45638