Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Annual school supply drive starts in Valley

Pictured at J-Cuts in Shelton in August, 2013 are from left: Michelle Sanders, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV and Jennifer Sneider, Owner, J Cuts. Back Row: Karen Martinez, Child FIRST Care Coordinator, LNV Parent Child Resource Center; Tylice MacDonald, LNV Parent Child Resource Center; Suzanne Reilly, Director of Family Support Services, TEAM Inc.; Jane Bailey, Shelton School Readiness Council; Dave Haddad, President of Shelton Community Lions Club; Jennifer Olson, Principal of Irving School and Tony Vellucci, Development Officer, Spooner House./ Contributed photo


SHELTON - When it comes to children in need, the Valley never lets them down! 
For the eighth consecutive year, the Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has begun again. Between now and Aug. 30, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.

Last year, more than 76 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected. This drive, originally started by the owners of Luther's Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave.
J Cuts is the main collection location. 
Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from pre-school to high school. All book bags and supplies must be brand new. "The outpouring of kindness within the community always warms my heart," said Sneider. 
“So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how it all balances out for children in need,” she said.
Minuteman Press in Shelton is also donating collection posters. 
Last year, Dave Haddad of the Shelton Lion’s Club, led his organization in a weekly collection. Book bags and supplies were collected during free summer concerts held Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. on the Huntington Green. 

Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations.
Children who received donations last year are serviced by TEAM, Inc. and Irving School, both in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Area Congregations Together/Spooner House, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center, all in Shelton. 

J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. The 9th Annual Drive will begin Jan. 1, 2015. 
Although this community drive officially kicks off on Jan.1st, donations are accepted at any time. Donations must be new, stuffed monkeys preferably with tags. 

The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive. 
For more information on either drive, call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203-924-4107.

This is a press release from Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts in Shelton.

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