ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / August 2, 2000

LAPLACE – The first day of school is just around the corner, and in the River Parishes that means the start of the Tools for Schools campaign is about to get into full swing.

Started in 1996 by St. John Parish resident Betty Coleman Clement, Toolsfor Schools is a drive to collect school supplies for needy children in the River Parishes. Since its inception the program has provided needed schoolsupplies to over 2,500 children in the river region.

“We want to insure that students of all ages have the tools they need to function effectively in the classroom,” said Clement.

Donations from the community buy supplies such as paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, school bags and other school items.

Tools for Schools is helped by donations from such corporations as the Louisiana Federal Credit Union, Shell Oil Co. and the River Parishes EducationInitiative. So far this year, these three patrons have donated a total of$1,850.

In addition, Office Depot has also generously offered a discount on all school supplies used in Tools for Schools.

Clement said her goal this year is to raise over $2,500.

Also involved in Tools for Schools is the New Wine Christian Fellowship Church in LaPlace. The Rev. Neil Bernard is this year’s chairman of Tools forSchools, and he and his wife Pat will coordinate packaging and distributing the supplies throughout the River Parishes.

Clement said there will be a change in distributing the supplies this year. Inthe past Tools for Schools has asked local principals to provide a list of needy students who would then receive the supplies.

“This often resulted in delays,” said Clement.

So this year supplies will be delivered to the schools prior to the first day of school and will be available immediately to the needy student.

“We are hoping to get the supplies to all the schools by Aug. 11,” saidClement.

Any citizen in the River Parishes area who would like to contribute to Tools for Schools can contact Clement at 652-1779, or donations can be sent to Tools for Schools, P.O. Box 1671, LaPlace, LA 70068-1671.

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