Community Services now to give out backpacks, school supplies at schools
Rae Nicely
Backpacks filled with school supplies won’t be handed out this year at Lehigh Community Services as they have been for a couple of decades. But they will still be given to children who need them.
According to Rae Nicely, the CEO and executive director of Lehigh Community Services, there isn’t room to accomplish the huge feat of handing out all the hundreds of backpacks and school supplies at their office. The agency also hands out food and performs other services there.
Last year, the agency handed out backpacks and school supplies to children who had pre-qualified at the new hotel in Lehigh. But this year, thanks to the efforts of a Boy Scout in Lehigh, things are going to be a little different.
Connor Blais, Life Scout, Troop 720, has been working throughout early spring and summer to collect backpacks and money to purchase school supplies. He is doing this feat to earn his Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouting.
“And if it can be done,” Connor can do it,” said Nicely, who noted that he is due back from Japan this week after attending a Boy Scout jamboree.
In past years, children and their parents have lined up in the parking lot of Lehigh Social Services, and have tried to find parking, just to get the free backpacks and school supplies.
Nicely said Blais contacted local businesses and clubs to ask for their support for his Eagle project.
“With the backing of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, I have partnered with Lehigh Community Services to manage their annual backpack program,” he said in a letter he mailed all over Lehigh.
Nicely said it was important to note that this year, the backpacks and school supplies would be handed out to deserving students in their individual schools. Backpacks will be limited to the six elementary schools in Lehigh. She also said Boy Scouts with the help of school officials will be handing out the backpacks filled with school supplies.
“We have asked the schools to partner with us this year. This is much different than we have done before, and already some have made their intentions know to work with us.
“But the other schools must contact us by this coming Friday if they want to partner with us so we can supply them with backpacks and school supplies. To reach the agency, schools that have not signed up yet under this new program, must call 369-5818 and ask for Nicely.
“We have so much food stored in our offices now here on Plaza Drive that we just have not had room for the past couple of years to do the distribution program of handing out the backpack and school supplies. That is why we did it last year at the Microtel Inn & Suites’ conference room on Business Way.
“This year, volunteers and Scouts will take the school supplies to the different elementary schools, so we want the schools to be sure to know how many they will need,” she said.
She noted if backpacks run out, there are several other places in Lee County that are also handing out free backpacks and school supplies.
The first day of school in Lee County is Aug. 24 and by that time, all students should have their backpack and school supplies with them.
“This is such a rewarding program for students who come from families where spending up to $15 and more for backpacks and supplies for their children is difficult. And the looks on the students’ eyes is so rewarding just to get a new backpack.
Nicely said she will be at some of the elementary schools during the handouts.
“Most backpacks don’t last for more than a year after the wear and tear and toting of heavy books and other supplies,” Nicely said.
She noted there had been a lot of help this year from not only individuals who purchased backpacks and supplies, but from area churches whose congregations have helped to buy backpacks and school supplies.
Among them are Faith Lutheran Church, the Church of the Nazarene, Christ United Methodist Church, the New Life Assembly Church and the Lehigh Christian Church. In addition Amvets Post 65 of Cape Coral also participated in the giveaway.
They had been contacted by Boy Scout Connor Blais.
Blais was hoping to raise $60,000 to help buy school supplies, but was not able to raise such a high amount. That is one of the reasons that school backpacks and supplies will only be given at Lehigh elementary schools that have agreed to accept and partner with Lehigh Community Services. Students at the schools will be notified when backpacks and supplies will be handed out.
Connor Blais said that with more than 20,000 students in Lehigh, some 80 percent are on free or reduced lunch programs. He said he wanted to help as many as possible.
Elementary schools that want to partner with Lehigh Community Services, must do so by this Friday by letting the agency know how many backpacks are needed.
“If we run out of backpacks, we will have school supplies for all the kids,” Nicely noted.
Community Services now to give out backpacks, school supplies at schools
Rae Nicely
Backpacks filled with school supplies won’t be handed out this year at Lehigh Community Services as they have been for a couple of decades. But they will still be given to children who need them.
According to Rae Nicely, the CEO and executive director of Lehigh Community Services, there isn’t room to accomplish the huge feat of handing out all the hundreds of backpacks and school supplies at their office. The agency also hands out food and performs other services there.
Last year, the agency handed out backpacks and school supplies to children who had pre-qualified at the new hotel in Lehigh. But this year, thanks to the efforts of a Boy Scout in Lehigh, things are going to be a little different.
Connor Blais, Life Scout, Troop 720, has been working throughout early spring and summer to collect backpacks and money to purchase school supplies. He is doing this feat to earn his Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouting.
“And if it can be done,” Connor can do it,” said Nicely, who noted that he is due back from Japan this week after attending a Boy Scout jamboree.
In past years, children and their parents have lined up in the parking lot of Lehigh Social Services, and have tried to find parking, just to get the free backpacks and school supplies.
Nicely said Blais contacted local businesses and clubs to ask for their support for his Eagle project.
“With the backing of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, I have partnered with Lehigh Community Services to manage their annual backpack program,” he said in a letter he mailed all over Lehigh.
Nicely said it was important to note that this year, the backpacks and school supplies would be handed out to deserving students in their individual schools. Backpacks will be limited to the six elementary schools in Lehigh. She also said Boy Scouts with the help of school officials will be handing out the backpacks filled with school supplies.
“We have asked the schools to partner with us this year. This is much different than we have done before, and already some have made their intentions know to work with us.
“But the other schools must contact us by this coming Friday if they want to partner with us so we can supply them with backpacks and school supplies. To reach the agency, schools that have not signed up yet under this new program, must call 369-5818 and ask for Nicely.
“We have so much food stored in our offices now here on Plaza Drive that we just have not had room for the past couple of years to do the distribution program of handing out the backpack and school supplies. That is why we did it last year at the Microtel Inn & Suites’ conference room on Business Way.
“This year, volunteers and Scouts will take the school supplies to the different elementary schools, so we want the schools to be sure to know how many they will need,” she said.
She noted if backpacks run out, there are several other places in Lee County that are also handing out free backpacks and school supplies.
The first day of school in Lee County is Aug. 24 and by that time, all students should have their backpack and school supplies with them.
“This is such a rewarding program for students who come from families where spending up to $15 and more for backpacks and supplies for their children is difficult. And the looks on the students’ eyes is so rewarding just to get a new backpack.
Nicely said she will be at some of the elementary schools during the handouts.
“Most backpacks don’t last for more than a year after the wear and tear and toting of heavy books and other supplies,” Nicely said.
She noted there had been a lot of help this year from not only individuals who purchased backpacks and supplies, but from area churches whose congregations have helped to buy backpacks and school supplies.
Among them are Faith Lutheran Church, the Church of the Nazarene, Christ United Methodist Church, the New Life Assembly Church and the Lehigh Christian Church. In addition Amvets Post 65 of Cape Coral also participated in the giveaway.
They had been contacted by Boy Scout Connor Blais.
Blais was hoping to raise $60,000 to help buy school supplies, but was not able to raise such a high amount. That is one of the reasons that school backpacks and supplies will only be given at Lehigh elementary schools that have agreed to accept and partner with Lehigh Community Services. Students at the schools will be notified when backpacks and supplies will be handed out.
Connor Blais said that with more than 20,000 students in Lehigh, some 80 percent are on free or reduced lunch programs. He said he wanted to help as many as possible.
Elementary schools that want to partner with Lehigh Community Services, must do so by this Friday by letting the agency know how many backpacks are needed.
“If we run out of backpacks, we will have school supplies for all the kids,” Nicely noted.
Business
Bridge closure causing long traffic delays
The School District welcomes educators to apply for Spring Teacher Recruitment Fair on April 23 | Deadline to apply for an invitation to the fair is April 15
