The American Red Cross of Kosciusko County has joined forces with the local Dollar Tree in accepting donated school supplies during their sixth annual Back to School Brigade. Locally, all supplies collected at the Warsaw Dollar Tree will benefit Combined Community Services Tools for School Program.

“We see no need to reinvent the wheel,” explained Kim Komdeur, communication outreach director with the American Red Cross. “Combined Community Service has offered their Tools for School Program for 17 years. It seems fitting that we simply pass on these supplies to be handed out during their highly popular event. This is the second year we’ve been able to donate items via the Dollar Tree program,” Komdeur continued. “Dollar Tree school supplies collection normally would aid a local military base. When there isn’t a local military base, Dollar Tree donates the supplies to the local Red Cross Chapter.”

Last year, The Kosciusko Red Cross was able to donate over 1,700 school supplies received from the Dollar Tree’s Back to School Brigade program to the Tools for School event. Supplies can still be purchased through Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the Dollar Tree and can be placed in a collection box at the store. Last year, Dollar Tree donated over $3 million dollars in school supplies nationwide.

Ami Pitt, coordinator for the Combined Community Services Tools for School Program, stated, “Our community is so generous. This program has a tremendous impact each year because of our community partners and generous friends and neighbors who help make this event an overwhelming success. We do still have a need for three ring binders, notebook paper, colored pencils, markers and rulers. Any donations people are able to make can be dropped off at Combined Community Services through Tuesday, Aug. 6.”

Nearly 1,600 children were served last year via the event. Tools for School will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Home and Family Arts Building.