News Release

WARSAW — Combined Community Services is hosting the 29th annual Tools for School event for students entering grades K-12 in Kosciusko County. Tools for School, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Lakeview Middle School is an event that provides essential “back to school” supplies for students in Kosciusko County.

CCS has partnered with many local organizations, as well as community members who donated supplies, to be able to serve families at this one-day event.

This annual event serves more than 1,400 children in the county. The program was designed to ease the burden families feel when sending their children back to school in the fall. Tools for School helps students to have what they need for a successful school experience, and the event saves schools a great deal of money on buying supplies since students arrive with the requested items.

Tools for School donation list flyer.

CCS asks Kosciusko County community to come together to purchase supplies that can be shared with other families so students can “pick out” their school supplies. CCS officials say their desire is for school to be a place where kids can go feeling prepared and confident.

The event serves many and offers more than just supplies. Services in 2023 included:

• 1406 — Kosciusko County students served.
• 179 — Haircuts at the event.
• 950 — Pairs of shoes given through Changing Footprints.
• 1085 — Full size book bags provided by the Warsaw Morning Optimists.
• 350 — New Testaments given by the Gideon’s.
• 37 — Decisions for Salvation at the Good News Caboose.

Community organizations who offer services for students K-12 grade and their families may reserve a booth for the Tools for School event by contacting Amy Pitt.

Supplies needed include:

• Colored pencils.
• Markers and dry erase markers.
• Composition books.
• Three ring binders.
• Ruler, protractor and compass.
• Highlighter.
• Two pocket folders (red and green).
• Large pink eraser.
• Elmer’s washable glue.
• No. 2 pencils.
• Kid’s soft handle scissors.24 count crayons.
• Calculator.
• Single subject notebook.

Donations of school supplies can be brought to the CCS office at 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw.