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Hookers now collecting school supplies

3 min read

With the current economic climate, many households struggle to provide fundamental needs for their families and are overwhelmed with having to pay utility bills, buy groceries, cover housing costs and provide necessary basic items. Many will find it difficult, if not impossible, to purchase the basic supplies their children will need when they return to school in August.

Coming to the rescue once again are the members of the Matlacha Hookers.

“WIth the help of the Pine Island community, it is our goal to insure that every child will have all of the supplies they need when they start school on Aug. 24,” said school supply coordinator Karen McKee. “Our students at Pine Island Elementary are some of the best in the district and we want to make sure that they all have the tools they need to help continue this success.”

Last year the Hookers collected many of the basic items and accepted donations of items that included backpacks, paper, pencils and crayons, as well as cash to fill any of the needs of the students where physical donations may have fallen short.

The list of the items to be collected and distributed by the Hookers includes:

n School boxes (pencil boxes)

n Scissors (blunt tip)

n Erasers (large pink rectangular)

n Backpacks (regular size, no wheels)

n Whiteboard markers

n Re-sealable plastic bags

n Glue sticks

n Colored pencils

n Pens (black, red, blue)

n Red pencils with erasers

n Cap pencil erasers

n Elmer’s glue

n Loose leaf notebook paper

n Spiral notebooks (all sizes)

n Washable markers

n Crayola crayons

n Handiwipes

n Paper towels

n Computer keyboard cleaner (air only)

n Scotch tape

n Fun stickers

Several island businesses and service organizations have volunteered to serve as drop-off locations for the school supples throughout Greater Pine Island.

“We have tried to make donating as easy and convenient as possible for everyone on the island who would like to help,” said McKee. “Our bins will be emptied on a regular basis to make sure ample room for donations will be available and any help the community can offer will be very appreciated. Donating doesn’t have to be a big expense as many of the items the children will need will be going on sale soon or can be found at many of the dollar stores and are very reasonably priced. A few dollars can go a long way when it comes to helping the kids.”

In Matlacha, school supplies can be left at the Matlacha Post Office, The Perfect Cup and Trader’s Hitching Post. At the island center, donations can be made at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, Pine Island Community Church, T.I.B. Bank, SunTrust Bank, Wachovia Bank, Bank of America, Southwest Capital Bank, Pine Island Public Library, Little Lilly’s Island Deli and Century 21. In St. James City, collection bins are located at the Waterfront Restaurant, Jackie’s Family Restaurant, Woody’s Waterside Restaurant, American Legion, VFW, the Moose Lodge, Island Grill and Pine Island Family Hair Salon, and in Bokeelia donations can be left at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church. Just look for the large plastic tubs labeled P.I.E. School Supplies.

For those who do not have time to shop and would like to help with a cash donation or would like more information about the Matlacha Hooker School Supply program, call Karen McKee at 218-2123.