Ansonia groups to hold annual drive for school supplies

   ANSONIA - James H Wilkins Lodge #9 and Sheba Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star, will kick off their 9th Annual Back to School Drive July 12. 
 
     This project was started in 2005 by Gregory Gatison of James H. Wilkins Lodge as a way for these two Prince Hall Masonic fraternities to address the need for school supplies for children of Valley elementary schools. 
    The program originally started with two schools in Ansonia and Derby and has since grown to serve six schools in the area.

     Through fund-raising projects and donations from the fraternal membership, corporations, area businesses, and community friends, the fraternities provide pens, backpacks, pencils, notebooks, binders, crayons, glue, folders, clay, and other supply requests they receive from the schools.

    All supplies are delivered to the schools prior to the first day and are distributed to students who can use them. 
     As local boards of education struggle with ever-increasing supply demands on their budgets, the masonic fraternity is providing this support where and when needed.

      This year`s drive will continue through mid-August. Monetary donations are tax deductible and are used to purchase supplies in bulk. 
     For information, contact Project Manager Gregory Gatison, 203-685-0937. 
Donations in the form of checks or money orders may be sent to James H. Wilkins Lodge #9, P.O. Box 36, Ansonia, 06401.


This post is taken from a press release from Gregory Gatison.