Students in Clay County returned to school last Thursday for the start of a new year. After the devastation that came with the flood in June that left many without homes, their personal belongings and many more with damage to their homes and things, life has been like a crazy whirlwind for everyone. School returning is kind of like a normalcy for he students.
Kids in Need foundation provides backpacks full of school supplies for children across the United States after disasters strike their areas.
Last week, the Kids in Need foundation provided over 1,000 backpacks filled with all the essential school supplies needed for each elementary student from head start to fifth grade in all four Clay County elementary schools; Lizemores Elementary, Clay Elementary, Big Otter Elementary and H.E. White Elementary.
Dave Smith, Executive Director for the Kids in Need foundation flew in from Arizona to be at Lizemore Elementary on Thursday morning to give each child there their backpack. Joanne Fabrics and Crafts sponsored the backpacks with the Kids in Need foundation, but they were unable to attend on Thursday. Also in attendance with the Kids in Need foundation was Gina Palmer, director of programs, who helped distribute the backpacks to each excited child.
Each teacher in the four elementary schools was surprised with a bag filled with essential supplies needed for their classrooms and themselves for grading papers, etc. Dollar General sponsored the teacher bags, and district manager Robert Bailes was in attendance to help as well.
This is an amazing act of kindness for the children and teachers across our county. Thank you to the Kids in Need foundation, Joanne Fabrics and Crafts and Dollar General for your generous donations and your uplifting attitudes! Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated by each and every one of Clay counties students, staff and parents!!