Two national organizations are soliciting Cape Coral teens to participate in a school supply drive this summer to benefit those in need.
DoSomething.org, an online teen charity-drive organization, and Staples, the world’s largest office products company, has joined forces to raise school supplies and donations for the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County.
The Second Annual National Do Something 101 School Supply Drive is supported by Ciara, a best-selling musician and Grammy winner, and it ends Sept. 19.
Alex Lindsay, director of operations for the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County, said the supplies are distributed equally among seven locations. Children who need supplies are handed a bag with everything they need.
“Any child who comes to the Boys and Girls Club, we make sure they have school supplies,” Lindsay said.
Last year the club received more than 2,000 items, including hundreds of supplies such as pencils, erasers, pens and glue. Lindsay said no child went without last year, and club officials are hoping they receive more supplies this year to counteract an increased demand.
“We are hoping we do receive more supplies because the demand has increased since last year and that is due to the economic situation,” Lindsay said.
Local teens can contribute to the drive by collecting and dropping off school supplies at one of Staples’ two Cape stores, located at 1631 Del Prado Blvd. S. and 1800 Pine Island Road N.E.
Customers can also donate $1 at any Staples store.
“The feedback from teen volunteers and recipients during our inaugural school supply drive in 2008 was inspiring,” said Demos Parneros, president of U.S. Staples stores. “With help from celebrities like Ciara, we will continue to raise awareness for under-served youth in local communities who need the basic supplies to succeed in school.”
Any teenagers who want to get ideas on how to organize school supply drives can visit: DoSomething101.org.
Some suggestions from the charity organization include holding a drive at a summer camp, in a sports league or during a block party.
Ciara has filmed a public service announcement that will air on local television and radio stations encouraging people to collect supplies.
Staples also handed over a $125,000 donation for the cause.
“DoSomething.org is all about encouraging teens to take action in their own communities. We’re proud to be spearheading a campaign for the second year,” said Nancy Lublin, chief executive officer of DoSomething.org.
For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County, visit: www.bgclc.net.