The American Red Cross, represented by Kim Komdeur, and Dollar Tree have teamed up to donate over 1,700 school supplies to Combined Community Services’ Tools for School Program.

Tools for school, an event that offers families the ultimate opportunity to prepare for back-to-school, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

The event will begin by offering students in line with breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Breakfast will be served by Warsaw Community Schools Food Services Department. In addition, many agencies will have tables at the event with information for parents and children. Kids will be entertained with face painting and will be able to receive free hair cuts by stylists from volunteers and Fiesta hair salon.

“Tools for School usually serves 1,200 to 1,300 Kosciusko kids the day of the event and an additional 200 to 275 the following weeks at CCS,” states Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of emergency services for Combined Community Services. “We disburse supplies for parents who could not make the event date until we run out.”

Lisenbee-Wright notes that parents or guardians need to bring proof of Kosciusko County residency and proof that the children live in the home or that they are the designated person to pick up supplies. It is recommended that a school registration is the best documentation to prove residency. These can be printed or picked up from school offices.

CCS Emergency Assistance Program works very closely with community school drives and other agencies to assure that duplication of services does not happen.

“We are still in need of monetary donations for the supplies we have already purchased as well as school supplies. Donations may be dropped at CCS any day, or at the fairgrounds the day of the event,” noted Lisenbee-Wright.

Backpacks filled with school supplies will be supplied by MDwise during the event and Amy Kanouse, an MDwise representative for Kosciusko County, noted that she will be in attendance at the event providing information on healthcare insurance for families.

If you have questions, please call Peggi at 574-269-6019 x222 or Lindsey at 574-269-6019 x230.