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By Diane Weissberg
REACHING OUT TO HELP OC KIDS
O
range County is known for its beautiful communities and great school districts. As summer came to an end, families flocked to Target, Walmart and their neighborhood stores to buy new backpacks, notebooks, pencils, markers and the other assorted school supplies that help our young students become scholars. But what happens when these supplies become unaffordable for some of the families? According to recent statistics, more than 5% of Orange County students are homeless or “unstably housed.” Many of these families are struggling to get food on the table, and necessities such as school supplies become luxuries.
In July, CAI-OC gave students in need a head-start on the school year. The Outreach Committee organized a school supply drive with Families
Forward to ensure that students of every grade level had new supplies for this school year. Our CAI membership generously donated over 20 boxes and barrels of new school supplies to help many kids start off on the same foot as their peers. The overflowing bins of supplies included 500+ glue sticks, 150 markers, countless backpacks, rulers, erasers, notebooks and, of course, an endless supply of #2 pencils. Distribution of these supplies began August 1st and continued throughout the month. Families Forward had a goal of helping 1,350 students with new school supplies this year and, with the help of your generous donations, it met that goal. Thank you to the management companies, board members and business partners who donated to make this event a success.
Te School Supply Drive was the 3rd 19
Quarter Outreach event planned by the Chapter’s Outreach Committee. Tis is another excellent example of how CAI is building better communities in Orange County by building confidence in every child for school. Mission accomplished!
Tis article was written and submitted by Diane Weissberg of Fiore Racobs & powers.