A drive to collect school supplies for needy students in the River Parishes kicked off in Norco with major contributions from Louisiana Federal Credit Union and Shell Oil Company as well as commitments from area churches and businesses.

The River Parishes Tools for School initiative will run through August 31 according to its founder and coordinator, Betty Coleman Clement.

River Parishes Tools for School was organized as a cooperative effort involving churches, businesses and citizens in St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes to collect and supply items such as paper, pencils, crayons, school bags, notebooks and other items to children in need.

“The program began in 1996 in St. John the Baptist Parish and was expanded to the adjacent River Parishes in 1997,” Clement said. River Region Education Initiatives is the fiscal agent for Tools for School.

Since its beginning, River Parishes Tools for School has provided school supplies to several thousand needy students, she added.

“As students make plans to begin a new academic year, many parents in the River Parishes will find that they cannot afford the school supplies their children need,” says Clement. “We want to ensure that students of all ages have the tools they need to function effectively in the classroom.”

In addition to Louisiana Federal Credit Union, which contributed $1000, Shell Chemical Company gave $1000 and River Region Education Initiatives, Motiva, WalMart and Office Depot have pledged their support.

Several other businesses and civic organizations in the tri-parish area have also pledged their support and are actively soliciting and accepting donations. Clement called on citizens in the River Parishes to contribute to this effort by contacting her at 985-652-1799.

Monetary donations may be sent to River Region Education Initiatives, Inc. with the notation Tools for School, P.O. Box 1671, LaPlace, LA 70068-1671.

“As a business owner, as a member of a congregation, or as a private citizen, all of us can play a vital role in making this project a success and enhancing the quality of educational experiences of our children,” Clement said.

Pastor Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Fellowship and Lily Galland of Shell Chemical Company are board members of the organization.

Clement says that the school supplies will be delivered to the School Board Office in each parish prior to the opening of school and will therefore be available immediately when school opens. Parents are asked to contact the school principal or guidance counselor if their children are in need of supplies, she noted.

For additional information, call 985-652-1799.