Going back to school can be a scary time for children, even more so if they don't have the clothes and supplies they need.

Thanks to donations made to the Ironton City Welfare Mission by Big Sandy Superstores and Clear Channel Radio, more than 100 children from across Lawrence County were better prepared for the start of the school year.

The companies recently donated $9,000 to local community organizations. The Ironton City Mission, Huntington City Mission and the Ashland Family Resource Center each received $3,000. Rose Hill Christian School received $1,000.

"We have already spent it," Jim Cremeans, director of the City Welfare Mission in Ironton, said referring to the check received Monday. "It doesn't take long to spend it when you are helping that many kids."

When the learned they would get some assistance, they went ahead and bought and distributed supplies Aug. 15.

Cremeans said the kids were excited when they received basic school supplies such as pens, papers, crayons, notebooks and new clothes. The mission also distributed used clothes to more than 150 families.

"We wouldn't have been able to help that many people without their special gift," he said. "It is a blessing sent from God that we were not expecting.

"The mission certainly appreciates them for their concern and thoughtfulness in thinking about all the kids in the Tri-State. There is always a tremendous need in this area."

Judy Jennings, vice president market manager of Clear Channel Huntington-Ashland, said they were happy to work with Big Sandy Superstores to help local children. This is the first year of this particular program, but they have worked together in the past to give back to the community.

"We wanted to work together as a team to help the Tri-State," she said. "This is something we both felt the need for and wanted to be good corporate citizens, for lack of a better word.

"Every individual and and every business needs to do more. These organizations can discern where this money can best be used."

Robert Vanhoose, president of Big Sandy Superstores, said they tried to take up a little slack since the economy has been so tough.

"We try to make a difference where we can," he said. "Of course, kids are always a good place to start. We have had a good year as a company and decided to share that with the people that made it possible. It is a worthy charity and maybe we can motivate some other corporations to get involved."

Cremeans said the mission would like to expand next year, but it is limited by the amount of support it receives. Michael Caldwell/The Ironton Tribune