The Hanover Youth Service Council (HYSC) will be conducting its 10th annual School Supply Drive, an independent, youth-directed initiative of the council, July 28 though Aug. 25 to benefit Hanover County elementary school students in need.
All donations will remain in Hanover County for the benefit of Hanover children.
In an effort to more directly meet the needs of elementary school students prior to the beginning of the school year, HYSC will be with collecting supplies and back packs for students identified by the Hanover elementary schools and the Patrick Henry YMCA's Bright Beginnings Program. This will allow teachers to offer brand new supplies and back packs to specific students prior to the start of school.
HYSC will be hosting a school supply collection day at the Mechanicsville Wal-Mart on Thursday, Aug. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. If groups or individuals would like to assist and donate to this effort, they may bring items to the School Supply Drive location or drop them off at the Department of Community Resources’ office at 12310 Washington Highway, Ashland, Va. 23005. HYSC is also accepting gift cards for any retail stores that sell school supplies. HYSC members will use gift cards to supplement their collection items and ensure the back packs are complete.
Items needed to help fill backpacks include: composition notebooks (black/white marbled front, no spiral), kindergarten writing tablets, wide ruled spiral notebooks, folders, pencil cases, expandable folders, pocket folder dividers, glue sticks, glue, crayons, No. 2 pencils, colored pencils, erasers, supply boxes/ pouches, dry erase markers, washable markers, school boxes/lunch boxes, scissors, highlighters, tissues, notebook paper, binders, mats for kindergarteners, baby wipes, antibacterial soap and book bags.
Through this project, Hanover Youth Service Council is keeping the it's promise (www.hanoverspromise.org) as a Hanover’s Promise Partner in cooperation with other Promise Partners, the Patrick Henry Family YMCA and the Hanover County Department of Community Resources.
The Hanover Youth Service Council consists of 35 middle and high school students from Hanover County selected for their dedication to service and leadership. HYSC works to promote youth volunteerism, leadership and conducts service projects in and around Hanover. Since its inception in 1998, HYSC members have volunteered more than 4,600 hours in the community and are sponsored through the Hanover County Department of Community Resources.
For more information about HYSC or to donate supplies please contact Lisa Adkins at (804) 365-4300 or ldadkins@co.hanover.va.us.