Tools for School 2009 Distribution!

Thank you to all the parishioners that donated school supplies and money for the 2009 Tools for School program which once again was a resounding success!

Donations were down considerably this year, but with the economy still in a precarious state, it was not unexpected. We were thankful for all we received!

Three years ago Walmart dropped their packages of wide ruled paper from 50 cents to 5 cents and 10 cents depending on the store. We bought every case they had and used the last of that in 2008.

Two years ago the opportunity was there at Target Supercenter on south Collins a couple of weeks after school started to buy hundreds of spiral notebooks at 50 cents a case of 60 (a savings of $8.50 a case!) so we were in good standings with those, both wide and college ruled along with the ones received for the Love Truck.

Around Christmas time 2008 Walmart had a sale on their good blunt scissors, glue sticks and red pens. Scissors with caps that were selling at $1.79 dropped to 50 cents and we bought all they had which was enough with the 2009 donations to provide all children with a pair. Red pens dropped to 25 cents for a package of 10 and 100 packages were bought that, again, along with the 2009 donations every child requiring red pens received them. Glue sticks were 10 cents for a package of 2 and again many were purchased and again, with those donated, every child received glue sticks.

The thing that always makes the heart go soft is to see the smiles on these children getting their sacks of "Goodies" to start school with. Think back to when you first started going to school and how neat it was having a new pencil, pen, paper, crayons, glue and a ruler. Of course times have changed and the kids have some wonderful additions to their school packages!

If you are out and about and see any of these great after school starts really good discounts on school supplies and feel the urge to buy more for SMG Tools for School, we would greatly appreciate it. A head start on 2010 is always a good thing, especially when you can save 50-90% over the original price!!!
Those mentioned above were the result of parishioners donating Target and Walmart Gift cards after the fact! Many times these stores buy too much and sell at bargain basement prices!

A Heartfelt "THANK YOU" and May God Bless you and your families for your "Stewardship"!

Brad Maunders
Tools for School Director