Back to School in Style Promotes Healthy Habits

Community Action Planning Council is collecting donations of personal care items and school supplies for children of low-income families as part of the Back to School in Style initiative.  Community members are invited to donate personal care items such as shampoo, combs, toothbrushes, deodorant, and femine hygiene products, as well as traditional school supplies.  All donated items will be distributed to families in need during Back to School in Style events, scheduled as follows:

  • August 19, 4:00 – 7:00 PM: Church of God, 27 North Jefferson St. Carthage
  • August 20, 4:00 – 7:00 PM: Philadelphia Fire Hall, 3 Antwerp St. Philadelphia
  • August 26, 4:00 – 7:00 PM: Community Action Planning Council, 518 Davidson St. Watertown

personal-care-products

The events will also feature information on local resources from partnering agencies, such as United Healthcare, North Country Family Health Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, the YMCA, and Bethany Church.  Aeropostalé will distribute gently-used jeans collected through the Teens for Jeans campaign.

Back to School in Style encourages healthy habits, such as proper nutrition, exercise, hair and nail care, and respecting others.  Last year, more than 200 children were provided with supplies for school and personal care, and parents accessed resources promoting healthy habits and personal hygiene.  This year’s event is expected to serve many more families, thanks to community support.  The initiative has received grants from the Northern New York Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Council and Staples Foundation.  Throughout the month of August, school supply drives are being coordinated by Froggy 97, Perriwinkle’s Fine Jewelry and Walmart Supercenter in Watertown. Donations of school supplies and personal care items can also be dropped off at Community Action Planning Council, located at 518 Davidson Street in Watertown, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Once the academic year is underway, Community Action Planning Council plans to reach out to local schools to establish supply closets, stocked with personal care items and school supplies.  The goal is to ensure that children of low-income families have the resources for success throughout the school year.

For more information about Back to School in Style, contact Mary Mathewson at 315.782.4900 ext. 233.