Through generous donations of school supplies from local businesses, organizations and individuals, students from Oberlin Schools will be well prepared for the 2023-24 academic year, according to a news release.
Bookbags, pens, colored pencils, glue sticks, crayons, binders, sensory tools and supply boxes filled the Board of Education office the afternoon of Aug. 11 after donations came in from Mercy Health’s School Supply Drive in association with Sisters of Humility of Mary; United Way of Greater Lorain County’s “Fill the Bus” initiative; and Tammy Koleski, of Wee Care Closet and a realtor.
For the sixth year, Mercy Health – Allen Hospital hosted its Community Health School Supply Drive, said Catherine Woskobnick, director of community health for Mercy Health – Lorain.
“Mercy Health is committed to connecting our community with the essentials to be successful — removing barriers to their success,” Woskobnick said in the release.
Carrie Jankowski, president of Mercy Health – Allen Hospital, noted the school supply drive is “truly our mission in action.”
“It is our honor to give back to a community where our hospital serves the local community,” Jankowski said in the release.
On the morning of Aug. 11, United Way of Greater Lorain County’s donor engagement specialist Heather Ferguson and volunteer engagement manager Norma Sanchez carried in box after box full of school supplies, according to the release.
“This is great; Thank you so much,” said Oberlin City School District director of curriculum Meisha Baker in the release. “Our students are so fortunate to have caring community members wanting them to be successful.”
Ferguson said 13 Lorain County school districts were assisted with this year’s Fill the Bus initiative.
She noted that education and financial stability are at the forefront of all the work United Way of Lorain County does throughout the year.
“Donations were held all across Lorain County. Our collections started in July, but we reached out to area superintendents in May inquiring what supplies were needed in their specific district,” Sanchez said in the release. “There is a need all over and we want all students to have what they need to start the school year off right.”
Tammy Koleski, on behalf of Wee Care Closet, arrived the afternoon of Aug. 11 carrying backpacks filled with binders, notebooks, folders and other items, including sensory tools.
The items she delivered totaled $1,403 for Oberlin students, according to the release
“We gratefully appreciate all the generous contributions to support our students. Each donor makes a difference in the lives of our students,” said Oberlin City School District Superintendent David Hall in the release. “Donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals create a positive impact.”
Looking ahead, Oberlin Community Services will hand out school supplies to students on Aug. 24.
For the past seven years, Oberlin Community Services has hosted the Jaqui Willis Back-To-School Drive, the release said.
“Jaqui was a volunteer and board member at Oberlin Community Services for many years. She was especially invested in collecting back-to-school supplies for Oberlin children each summer,” said Oberlin Community Services communications and development coordinator Jason Hawk in the release.
Willis died in 2017, but as a way to keep her memory alive, Oberlin Community Services named the back-to-school drive in her name, the release said.
“Oberlin Community Services is committed to ensuring every Oberlin City School District student has the tools they need for a successful year,” Hawk said. “No child should have to worry about whether their family can purchase pencils, paper, pens, crayons, glue, scissors, folders, notebooks and other basic supplies.”
