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Help students get ‘Hooked’ up for back to school

3 min read

For some, it may seem as though the final bell of the 2010-11 school year just rang out, however, one group of islanders is already planning ahead for the upcoming session. Last week, the Matlacha Hookers began its annual school supply drive and once again is counting on the generosity of island residents.

“There are still many families on Pine Island struggling to make ends meet, so it is more important for the rest of us to pool our resources and help out,” said Hooker member Cindee Tolliver. “With the high price of groceries and clothing, one thing that families have difficulty with is making sure their kids have what they need to be successful students and we are hoping to help ease that burden with this year’s back to school supplies drive.”

The seemingly endless list of needed items every child should have on the first day of school can take a substantial bite out of anyone’s budget and the Hookers are hoping that those who can contribute will do so this summer. The following is a list of items that each child will need on entering Pine Island Elementary School in August and the quantities to fulfill that need.

— Supply boxes – 275

— Red marking pencils – 150

— Marble composition books – 100

— Yellow highlighters – 50

— Crayola crayons (16 or 24 count) – 200

— Fiskars scissors, blunt tip – 275

— Glue sticks – unlimited

— Pink rectangle erasers – 250

— Red pens – 125

— Cap erasers – 500

— 3X5 index cards – 200

— Colored pencils – 100

— Markers assorted colors/washable – 50

— Green pens – 50

— 2-inch plastic binders – 50

— 1-inch plastic binders – 30

— Markers whiteboard/dry erase – 275

— Wide-ruled loose leaf paper – 500

— Pocket folders without clasps:

— Green – 80

— Blue – 100

— Folders with pockets and clasps:

— Green – 100

— Red – 100

— Yellow – 100

— Blue – 100

— Gray – 50

— Black – 50

— Purple – 10

— Misc. colors – 100

?- Facial tissue – Unlimited

— Backpacks – Unlimited

Thanks to the cooperation of many island businesses, this year, finding a location to drop off donated school supplies will be easier than ever. Whether the contributor lives in Matlacha, St. James City, Bokeelia or near the island center, drop-off locations are easily accessible and will be attended by Hooker volunteers on a regular basis. The following is a list of school supply drop-off locations on Pine Island.

Matlacha:

— The Perfect Cup

— Traders Hitching Post

— Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House

— Island Center:

— Center of Attention Day Spa

— Pine Island United Methodist Church

— T.I.B. Bank

— SunTrust Bank

— Wachovia Bank

— Bank of America

— Stonegate Bank

— Pine Island Library

— Little Lilly’s Island Deli

— Century 21 Sunbelt

— Beacon of HOPE

— Pine Island Community Church

— Island Grill

— Pine Island Hair Salon

— Winn-Dixie

— St. James City:

— Waterfront Restaurant

— Belle’s Secret Island Spa

— Woody’s Waterside Restaurant

— Low Key Tiki

— Pine Island VFW Post 4353

— Moose Lodge

— American Legion

— Ragged Ass Saloon

— Bokeelia:

— Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

— Raymary Grill

— Alden Pines Golf Course

— Lazy Flamingo

The collection boxes have been distributed to each of these locations and the scheduled final pick-up for donations will by July 28, to ensure time to sort and distribute the items to the students before the beginning of the next school year.

For more information about the Matlacha Hookers or the back to school supplies drive, visit matlachahookers.org