Planning a return: Back to School Fair to provide supplies, medical services

 

By Devan Gagliardo — Program Director

April 9, 2012

As the school year is winding down, the Community Foundation of Grundy County along with United Way of Grundy County, We Care of Grundy County, Lions Club, Operation St. Nick, Grundy County Health Department and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers are already thinking about next school year. Together, these agencies are in the process of planning the third annual Grundy County Back to School Fair.

The Back to School Fair provides school supplies and medical services to low income families with school age children in Grundy County, all at no cost to the family. While Operation St. Nick and We Care of Grundy County provide school supplies and clothing to families in need, other agencies step up to provide dental screenings, vision screenings, immunizations, and school/sports physicals.

Last year’s fair provided 482 children with school supplies, 125 vision screenings, 110 dental check-ups, 89 physicals and 23 immunizations. In addition, thanks to Illinois Central Bus Company and Grundy County Transit System, 29 individuals received free transportation to and from the event. United Way of Grundy County and Kiwanis Club of Morris organized a book drive which provided over 2,000 books to children who attended the fair.

In addition to the services provided, several other organizations participated in an expo which connected parents with local organizations that offer services for children and families.

This year’s Back to School Fair will be held on Saturday, July 28 at First Christian Church in Morris. We Care of Grundy County and Operation St. Nick are currently working with local schools to identify families with school age children who are in need and would benefit from this event. Once identified, families will be provided with instructions on where to pick up and drop off applications for the event.

In order for the event to run smoothly, we need approximately 70 volunteers! Volunteers are needed for set-up and tear down as well as day of tasks such as registration and serving food to volunteers and service providers.

The Community Foundation and United Way of Grundy County fund part of the event; however, due to the growing need for such an event, our expenses for the event have grown. We are looking for donations and event sponsors to help offset the costs. Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event.

Because volunteers and service providers spend the better part of their Saturday at the event, lunch is provided free of charge to them. In past years, area restaurants have been very generous in donating food to the event. We are again asking for food/drink donations.

United Way of Grundy County is organizing a book drive. This is a great time to clean off your bookshelves and help feed a child’s growing mind. Books should be new or gently used pre-school through high school books. United Way has several book drop-off locations, including Coal City Early Childhood Center, First Midwest Bank, Minooka Village Hall, United Way of Grundy County Office, Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Offices in Morris, Minooka, and Coal City as well as the Standard Bank on Southmor Road, Lisbon Street and in Gardner.

Organizations who serve Grundy County children and families are also welcome to participate in the expo. If you are interested in participating in any of the above ways, feel free to contact the Community Foundation by emailing Devan at [email protected] or the United Way of Grundy County at [email protected].

The Back to School Fair committee anticipates helping over 500 children this year! We look forward to another successful year with an event that helps so many Grundy County families.

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