Paying it forward- helping by donating school supplies

For the past twenty years I have been teaching Sunday School. That means I don't have a class... so my mom's class adopted me and my Donald. We are always invited to their socials and game nights and fellowships. Of course.. we are also "invited" to help out when there is a need.

Every year for as long as I can remember my mom's class has been collecting and donating school supplies to Putnam County Schools. They have a migrant worker coordinator that generally knows the most needy families in the school and so the supplies donated are given to families with genuine need. This week was my "back to school shopping". I generally spend about $50.00 on crayons, glue, paper, notebooks, book covers and other things.

Also throughout the year when I give my own Sunday School class "prizes" for perfect attendance for a month, bringing their bible, getting the questions right... I tend to include things like pencils, pens, erasers and other items they will need for school as well. I've learned that you never know who might need a little extra help at any given time. And that the parents of children might be too proud to ask for that help. But children sometimes say things they hear at home and it's not hard to tell when someone needs a little help.

I'm sure everyone reading this also knows of some organiztion that collects school supplies. If you live in the Lake Sinclair area and do not know of a place, feel free to drop off school supplies at Lane Realty @ 126 Pea Ridge Road and I promise that I will get them to someone who will place them in the hands of a needy child.