School Supply Lists

My husband and children will tell you that I am the easiest person to buy a gift for because there is one thing that is sure to please me every time.... a new box of crayons.  Since childhood, when on the last day of school each year, my 5 siblings and I would dump the worn down, torn papered, somewhat melted and very, very used, crayons from their boxes into the coffee can in the cupboard with all of the coloring books, I have loved new crayons, preferably Crayola, big box of 96, with sharpener built in.

Back in the old days we would get our list of school supplies on the first day of school. We would bring it home , see what could be reused from last year, rulers, compasses, pencil cases  and then head off to Target (yes there was Target when I was a child.. okay so I happened to live in Roseville by the original Target store but there WAS a Target store).

There I would wait anxiously to pick out my new box of crayons, wondering if I would be allowed to get a box 24 or even 48. After purchasing pencils, red and black pens, loose leaf and spiral bound paper or tablets and gym shoes we would go home and sort out our shiny new school supplies. I would open my box of crayons, and enjoy that fresh crayon aroma, admire their fine pointed heads and then dump them out and place them back in the box according to my own colorization charts.  Some people like that new car smell...I love the new crayon smell. That fresh box of crayons represented a fresh start and the possibility of many good things to come. I still have a passion for school supplies although now I use the more professional term "office supplies", but I still feel  new supplies bring a fresh start.

At United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties we are in the middle of our school supply drive.  My children who are still in college buy their own supplies, there are no more lists coming to our house, so I was thrilled to get the list from our local elementary school so I could go out and purchase supplies for the drive.  Wow, the lists have changed!

While the kindergarten list still asks for a paint shirt and a mat for rest time. it also asks for 1 four pack of AA batteries, 2 boxes of Crayola crayons -24 count,( remember when kindergartners were only allowed the fat crayons and only 6 colors?) a spiral notebook and a box of gallon size ziplock bags.  Students in the higher grades must now supply the classroom dry erase markers, Kleenex, post it notes, flash cards and snacks.  These are all things that were supplied through the school when I was a student. Now if students don't bring it in the teachers buy it with money of their own.

With more and more families existing from paycheck to paycheck the expense of school supplies can be daunting and many children will start school without the physical tools they will need to keep up.  So I am asking those of you who can spare a dollar or two, next time you are shopping, pick up a box of crayons or Kleenex, a ruler or glue sticks, a notebook or folder - whatever captures your fancy in the school supply aisle. Drop it off at our office and enjoy the fact that your have helped a child get a fresh start on a new year.  Every child deserves a new box of crayons.

 Maureen Nelson

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Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon.  A happiness weapon.  A beauty bomb.  And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one.  It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air.  Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas.  And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight.  Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in.  With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest.  And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination.  ~Robert Fulghum 

Wish List 

Snacks

Russ Clevenger Memorial

Golf Tournament

Dinner & 

Auction

Monday, August 13th

Cannon Golf Club

12:30pm 

4 person scramble format

For more information or to reserve your spot:

Contact

By phone:

Greg Evans

Tournament Chair

507-263-7563

or by email

Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity

gchfh01@gmail.com 

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Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity

Noel Evans

Memorial

Golf Scramble

Thursday, August 16th

Zumbrota Golf Club

1:00 pm 

* 4-Person Scramble
* 18 holes with cart
* Burgers and brats on the green
* Hole contests and prizes!

$60 per person

$200 per foursome 

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 To Benefit Children in Need

HOPE Coalition