On Saturday, August 4, 2012, the Tools 4 Schools Project and Salvation Army are asking DeKalb County residents to help local kids in need of school supplies. The Tools 4 Schools back-to-school backpack program aims to provide DeKalb County students, kindergarten through high school, with free backpacks and school supplies to help start the school year off right.
A donation drive, entitled “Cram the SAM,” will begin at 9:00 am this Saturday in front of WalMart at 2300 Sycamore Road in DeKalb. The Tools 4 Schools Project Team and Salvation Army volunteers are hoping to completely fill a 15-foot SAM storage container by 4:00 pm that day. The SAM (storage and moving container) has been graciously donated by Blackhawk Moving & Storage of Sycamore.
New WalMart Store Manager, Brian Teders, who has been very supportive of this event, has partnered with the Salvation Army again this year. The back-to-school backpack & school supply program has been serving DeKalb County residents in need for the past 17 years.
Letters of invitation were sent by DeKalb School District 428 to families of students participating in the free & reduced lunch program. Interested families sent their “rsvp’s” directly to the Salvation Army. Tim Vincent, Principal at Clinton Rosette Middle School and Tools 4 Schools Project Team Lead says “I am thrilled to be part of the many dedicated leaders in the community attempting to level the playing field for every family in need in our community. It continues to impress and amaze me that our community is so willing to contribute to such a worthy cause.”
At the Cram the SAM event on Saturday, Tools 4 Schools project team members, Salvation Army staff, various athletes from DeKalb High School and Northern Illinois University, and the Salvation Army Youth Group Rock Band will be on hand to collect school supply donations from WalMart shoppers. “It will be a pleasure to have NIU student-athletes assist in this community project. Community service opportunities provide for social growth and demonstrates the athlete’s appreciation for community support. Nothing gives you greater joy than doing something for another.” says Carl Armato, NIU Associate Athletics Director.
To get further information about volunteering or if you want to inquire about being a program recipient, contact Jennifer Warren at the Salvation Army at 815.756.4308 or email: jenniferwarren@hotmail.com
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