182 children from Linn, Johnson and Washington counties will go back to school this fall with new clothes and school supplies thanks to the Homeless Children’s Trust “Ready, Set, Go Back to School” program.
The Back to School program assists homeless children by providing basic back to school supplies, including gym shoes, backpacks, socks and underwear, so that children can be ready to start school. The event culminated on August 10th when children and parents loaded backpacks with supplies at HACAP locations in Hiawatha, Iowa City and Washington. Homeless Children’s Trust Chair Mary Fielder is pleased with this year’s effort, “The kids were exited that they were able to pick things out and fill their backpacks, it’s important that they can go to school and have everything that everyone else has and feel like everyone else.”
The Homeless Children’s Trust is entirely dependant on community donations. No salaries or indirect expenses are taken from the donations. According to Ms. Fielder this years Back to School Event was funded principally by the Rockwell Collins Employees United Fund which contributed $15,000. “They (Rockwell Collins Employees United Fund) have been very faithful supporters for many years…we wouldn’t be here today without them.” Other contributors include St Johns Lutheran Church in Ely, Norwood Promotional Products, Cumulous Media’s “Stuff the Suburban” program, and Chuck and Dale’s Annual Golf Tournament which raised $1,100 for the event.
The Homeless Children’s Trust, a HACAP partner, covers six counties – Linn, Johnson, Jones, Benton, Iowa, and Washington. Assistance from the community, both individuals and businesses, in the form of volunteers and fund-raising efforts are needed to continue to provide less fortunate children with the basic necessities of life while their parents get back on their feet. Public support is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Mary Fielder at (319) 363-0241 or (319) 270-3583.