Together We Cope launches annual school supply drive

School’s out for the summer, but Together We Cope staff is getting ready for the new school year.

TWC is gathering supplies for its annual Back to School drive in August and welcomes donations. With the help of community donors, the agency has provided backpacks and school supplies for students who need assistance for the past 12 years. Last year’s drive helped 1,166 children, and this year the agency hopes to help more than 2,000 students.

Tina Kessens, Together We Cope’s special events coordinator, believes that it is
important to send students back to the classroom well-equipped and ready to
learn. “We’re getting school supplies together as we speak,” Kessens said. “This
year, we’re especially looking for spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper and
backpacks.”

Additional items needed for this year’s effort include: two-pocket folders, pens, pencils, crayons, watercolor paints, colored pencils, washable markers, glue sticks,
scissors, rulers, soft erasers, one-gallon plastic bags, resealable sandwich
bags, paper towels and tissue.

“Every child deserves a perfect start to the school year. We couldn’t fulfill this
need without donations from our generous supporters,” Kessens said. “We hope to
help as many children as possible start the school year off right.”

Those making donations can bring them to Together We Cope, 17010 South Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park by July 15. Further information is available from Kessens at (708) 633-5040 or at tkessens@togetherwecope.org.