(FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.) July 29, 2015 – Shelter House is collecting school supplies for the children served by the agency. Before the school year begins, Shelter House advocates will set up a store displaying the donated items where kids and their moms can “shop” for exactly what they need to head back to school in style.
“This is a very busy time in our emergency shelter,” said Shelter House Executive Director Rosalyn Iovieno. “Many victims have shared that summer is an opportune time to leave their abusers because it doesn’t cause as much disruption to their children’s schedules, friendships and overall education. As fall approaches, these families are still working to rebuild their lives and many struggle to cover basic necessities. Looking at the long list of school supplies required can seem overwhelming. Donations from the community close the gap and allow the children to return to school feeling confident.”
Items needed include: backpacks, lunch boxes, college rule paper, glue and glue sticks, three-ring binders, tabbed dividers, index cards, highlighters, scientific calculators, graph paper, USB thumb drives, protractors, Post-it notes and pencil pouches. Supplies are needed for both boys and girls.
In addition to hosting the school store, Shelter House will bring in hair stylists to provide free haircuts for the children and their mothers. Pampering professionals will also be on hand to offer free waxing and massages to the moms.
Donations can be dropped off by August 10 at the Shelter House Program Office located at 16 Ferry Road, SE in Fort Walton Beach between 8am and 5pm weekdays. If your business or civic/religious/professional organization would like to host its own drive, please contact Shelter House at 850-243-1201.