City’s teen group asking for school supplies for needy kids

The Teen Focus Group, sponsored by the city’s Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, is asking Maricopans to “Stuff a Pack and High Tail it to Our Trailer” on Saturday, Aug. 4, to help local families in need.

A trailer will be parked in the lot across from the garden center entrance at Fry’s from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 4 to collect all types of school supplies as well as new or gently used uniform items.

According to recreation coordinator Maria Billingsley the idea for the outreach group’s project came from Ariel Lara. “There are so many new people in town,” said Lara, “and not everyone can afford school supplies for their children.”

Ray Garcia agrees. “We want to help kids in need by making them feel welcome in our community and making them feel like everyone else at their schools.”

“The project isn’t just for little kids,” said teen Alex Cesma. “We’re trying to get items for kids in grades K-12.”

What types of items would be useful for this school year? Adam Castillo offered some suggestions: notebooks, folders, backpacks, pencils, pens, crayons, simple function calculators, planners, highlighters, dividers, binders and, for grades K-5, new or like-new, outgrown uniform items.

According to the teens this is the first event for a project they plan to do each year just prior to the opening of school.

For further information, contact Billingsley via email or at (520) 568-9098, Ext. 254.

Photo by Joyce Hollis