School Supply Drive Update

A couple of months ago, with inspiration and much assistance from several others, I announced the start of a fundraiser for School Supplies for the children of Andrew Jackson Elementary in St. Bernard Parish. With many families in the Parish still in need of support, I hoped to gather as much in the way of supplies for the upcoming school year as possible. Well, there are two weeks left before the kids report to school, and I have to say that the response has been amazing. I want to thank everyone who has and is in the process of donating. The support we've gotten -- in the form of actual supplies, in gift cards, and in cash, has been phenomenal.

We have many boxes of supplies either here or on their way right now, and approximately $2000 in cash or gift cards. In addition, the St. Bernard Parish School District has received almost $1000 in donations from some of you, money that is matched on a 10-to-1 basis so long as it is used to replace items lost in the storm. That is exactly what they intend to do with that money, so the School District passes along its thanks as well.

As for the money we have at our disposal to purchase more supplies, we've partnered up with a Target located about 30 miles north of New Orleans. Not only is that store going to help us get the supplies that we need, but they are also going to contribute a financial donation to add to our current pool, AND, some of the store employees are going to volunteer and help us on Thursday, August 23, when we actually distribute all the supplies at the school. On that day, we are going to put bags together and take them to each classroom, where with the help of the teacher they will be distributed to the kids in need. The school's Administration, including its Principal, Ms. Harlton, are very supportive in helping us carry this initiative out, as well as extremely grateful.

We have a little more work to do and hopefully a few more donations coming in, but we're almost there. I will, of course, be taking a lot of pictures the day of the Distribution, and sharing those along with some stories immediately following right here on my blog. Thanks again to everyone who has helped support this drive. Trust me when I tell you it's making a difference.