is this good re parks and school supplies?

**ladycat** · #21 07/05/09, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodak3

What do you think?

Our area usually collects school supplies for kids that cannot afford them, and gives them away right before school starts.

Our town is really hurting $$wise and is not able to maintain public areas such as parks and schoolgrounds as well as in the past.

Suggestion has been made families come to those areas on a designated cleanup day, donate an hour of cleanup time, and receive a voucher to pick up those school supplies.

That way the areas get cleaned up, families get a chance to do something positive together, and kids get the supplies.

Sounds good to me.

It could be worked around schedules, and it could be done in a way to not stigmatize children (make it FUN and for anyone who wants to come).

I'm not even sure how that could stigmatize them amy more than they are stigmatized when they go stand in line in a public place to receive free supplies.

I agree with what someone else said, there are parents who can't (or won't) buy supplies and who also wouldn't bother to participate in something like that.

NEfarmgirl · #22 07/05/09, 02:52 PM

it is a touchy subject and it should be that maybe everyone could help clean and repair the area parks/public areas and ask for donations of school supplies when people come. That way those that can afford a little extra can help out and those that can't afford it can help out and feel better about getting their childrens supplies later. I wouldn't stick the two together--I am thinking more about what the kids would feel like. My parents didn't have money and it was embarrassing to get free meals from school--the other kids would make fun of you. Yes some people think they should get things for free and not work for stuff but showing the kids that people can come together and work for the community is good.