Post by WeNeed3 on Oct 25, 2010 8:43:27 GMT -5
Coat drive aids needy families in D204
By Kathy Cichon kcichon@stmedianetwork.com Oct 23, 2010 04:16PM
napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/2....an-schools.html
Evan though the mercury continues to occasionally jump into the 70s, the cold and freezing weather is on its way.
To help the growing number of students who might not have a warm coat or winter accessories, a district-wide coat drive is under way in Indian Prairie School District 204. “This year we’re trying to make sure everyone who needs a coat gets it,” said Dina Lohman, president of the Indian Prairie Parents Council.
As was the case last year, the number of students in need continues to grow.
“Several schools mentioned to me they would like to get extra coats,” Lohman said.
According to the school district, the low-income rate increased from 5.7 percent in 2008 to 7.5 percent in 2009.
“And we anticipate that upward trend will continue for 2010,” said Jason Altenbern, community relations coordinator for the district.
The low-income rate is determined by the number of students receiving free and reduced lunches.
Previously individual PTAs and PTSAs conducted their own coat drives, but this year the Indian Prairie Parents Council’s Unity Committee partnered with District 204’s Community Relations Department to conduct the district-wide drive.
Twenty of the 34 PTAs in the district are participating in the coat drive, Lohman said.
“It’s just contagious, which is a good feeling,” she said.
Those PTAs that are not part of the district-wide collection already had a program in place, she said.
Coats can be dropped off at the following schools: Brooks, Builta, Clow, Cowlishaw, Crone, Fischer, Fry, Georgetown, Gombert, Graham, Granger, Kendall, Longwood, Neuqua Valley, Owen, Spring Brook, Steck, Welch and Young. Coats collected by the Indian Prairie Special Needs PTA can be dropped off at the Crouse Education Center.
“The IPPC is grateful for any help we get,” Lohman said.
Donated coats can be new or gently used. All sizes are welcome, as the coats will be given to students in preschool through high school.
“If we get a big coat at an elementary school, we can direct it to a high school,” Lohman said.
Winter accessories including mittens, gloves and scarves are also being collected.
“If they can’t afford to donate a coat, they can donate any of these items,” Lohman said.
The deadline for dropping off coats is noon Friday. Volunteers will then collect the coats from all of the schools and sort them and clean if necessary. The coats will be distributed the following week.
Participating schools will distribute coats to families in their buildings first, with any remaining coats distributed to schools throughout the district.
By Kathy Cichon kcichon@stmedianetwork.com Oct 23, 2010 04:16PM
napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/2....an-schools.html
Evan though the mercury continues to occasionally jump into the 70s, the cold and freezing weather is on its way.
To help the growing number of students who might not have a warm coat or winter accessories, a district-wide coat drive is under way in Indian Prairie School District 204. “This year we’re trying to make sure everyone who needs a coat gets it,” said Dina Lohman, president of the Indian Prairie Parents Council.
As was the case last year, the number of students in need continues to grow.
“Several schools mentioned to me they would like to get extra coats,” Lohman said.
According to the school district, the low-income rate increased from 5.7 percent in 2008 to 7.5 percent in 2009.
“And we anticipate that upward trend will continue for 2010,” said Jason Altenbern, community relations coordinator for the district.
The low-income rate is determined by the number of students receiving free and reduced lunches.
Previously individual PTAs and PTSAs conducted their own coat drives, but this year the Indian Prairie Parents Council’s Unity Committee partnered with District 204’s Community Relations Department to conduct the district-wide drive.
Twenty of the 34 PTAs in the district are participating in the coat drive, Lohman said.
“It’s just contagious, which is a good feeling,” she said.
Those PTAs that are not part of the district-wide collection already had a program in place, she said.
Coats can be dropped off at the following schools: Brooks, Builta, Clow, Cowlishaw, Crone, Fischer, Fry, Georgetown, Gombert, Graham, Granger, Kendall, Longwood, Neuqua Valley, Owen, Spring Brook, Steck, Welch and Young. Coats collected by the Indian Prairie Special Needs PTA can be dropped off at the Crouse Education Center.
“The IPPC is grateful for any help we get,” Lohman said.
Donated coats can be new or gently used. All sizes are welcome, as the coats will be given to students in preschool through high school.
“If we get a big coat at an elementary school, we can direct it to a high school,” Lohman said.
Winter accessories including mittens, gloves and scarves are also being collected.
“If they can’t afford to donate a coat, they can donate any of these items,” Lohman said.
The deadline for dropping off coats is noon Friday. Volunteers will then collect the coats from all of the schools and sort them and clean if necessary. The coats will be distributed the following week.
Participating schools will distribute coats to families in their buildings first, with any remaining coats distributed to schools throughout the district.