The ‘Staples for Education, in partnership with Kiwanis’ continues until September 19th in Bracebridge and Huntsville.
The Kiwanis Club of Huntsville Muskoka recently made a visit to those towns to kick off the program which raises money for student school supplies this fall.
The program raises awareness about the need to support local kids and area residents are urged to visit the stores and make a donation.
All monies raised in Huntsville remain in area schools and it’s the same in Bracebridge.
Rick Brooks, Secretary-Treasurer with the Club says it’s all about supporting our neighbors.
Recently, the program received a huge donation in Bracebridge from Paul Middlebrook of Centre Stream Finishing.
Brooks tells us that the company, based in Utterson donated $5,000 to the fundraising effort.
“We’re hoping we’re going to get at least that much from the general public in each location,” says Brooks. “I’m thinking we might be getting somewhere in around $15,000-$18,000 worth of product. Again, if we had somebody in the Huntsville area that wanted to donate similar to what Paul did that would be wonderful because that would build up the coffers in Huntsville.”
Audio PlayerThe program’s success ensures that many students can get the tools to help them succeed in school. In some cases, some would not have had the ability to get these supplies, without their families making significant sacrifices.
In 2020 Brooks says Kiwanis club members spent well over 100 man-hours sorting and filling backpacks and traveled nearly 1000 kms delivering school supplies between Gravenhurst and Burks Falls.
The end result was over 400 happy kids and families from Gravenhurst Public School to Land of Lakes Public School in Burks Falls, and many in between.
The club hopes they are able to do that again, but it’s up to residents to help.
Photo via Rick Brooks
