2011-12 "LESA Fill a Backpack for Kids" project launched

Thank you note from Rex for his new backpack last year.

We received a letter from Robin Schutz of Great Start Livingston announcing the kick-off of the 2011-12 "LESA Fill a Backpack for Kids" project. This is a great project that the Pencil Box Club supports with donations, and we encourage everyone to help now. Back packs will be distributed to schoolchildren at LESA, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell MI 48843 from 6-8 p.m. August 18, 2011. Schutz said:

Livingston Educational Service Agency employees are gearing up for our tenth annual "LESA's Fill a Backpack for Kids" project. The goal of this project is to provide Livingston County students with basic school supplies at no cost.

LESA implemented this project in 2002 and, thorugh support of local businesses and families, has distributed over 5,000 backpacks filled with supplies. Our goal is to distribute at least 1,800 backpacks for the 2011-12 school year.

In order for the 'LESA Fill a Backpack for Kids" project to be a success, we need support from the community. There are many opportunities for community members to be involved with this project, including serving as a collection site for donated school supplies, volunteering to fill backpacks with school supplies, and donating school supplies and backpacks. . . . Any assistance you can provide will be appreciated.

Community-wide support will make this project a success and help children have a positive experience . . .. For additional information, call 517 540 6833. We appreciate any support you can provide for this project.

Pimento Cheese Spread and a word of thanks!

At last week's monthly Bridge gathering Kathy T. served this fantastic cheese spread from the May 2010 Southern Living magazine:

1-1/2 cups Hellman's mayonaise
4 oz. jar diced pimento, drained
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. onion, finely grated
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
1 cup pecans, toasted in 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes
8 oz extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated
8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

Mix mayo, pimento, Worcestershire, onion and red pepper in large bowl. Stir in pecans and cheese. Store in refrigerator. Serve with celery sticks and crackers; or make toasted cheese sandwiches in skillet or panini press with the cheese spread.

Last week the Pencil Box Club received two personal thank-you notes from students who received backpacks at the LESA distribution in August. We also got a nice note from LESA Fill Backpacks for Kids Committee Co-chairpersons Jean Garratt and Denis McBride. They said:

Your efforts on behalf of children and families in the county will help children begin the school year with the necessary supplies for successful learning.

LESA Backpacks for Kids report 2010

LESA Secretary to the Superintendent Judy Paulsen reported the LESA Backpacks for Kids 2010 project put together 1600 backpacks filled with supplies for Livingston County students in grades K-12 whose families need help to finance their back-to-school supplies. Paulsen said every one of 1000 students who attended the Aug. 19 distribution received filled backpacks.

"It's awesome to know we're helping people, and to see the excitement of kids and parents and volunteers," Paulsen said.

Students may still stop by LESA today for a backpack. After today, the extra packs will be sent to local districts, OLSHA, and LACASA for distribution according to need. This year, for the first time, LESA provided 50 backpacks to Livingston County's The Connection Youth Services.

Thanks to all Pencil Box Club members and fans who supported this very special project!

Backpacks!

The Livingston Educational Services Agency is accepting donations for their 2010 distribution of "Backpacks for Kids" to be held from 6-8 p.m. August 19, 2010 at the LESA Educational Center, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell, Michigan.

The goal of the project is to provide Livingston County students whose families are experiencing financial difficulties with basic school supplies at no cost. Last year the project distributed over 1600 backpacks filled with school supplies. For information about the project, call the LESA backpack hotline at (517) 540-6833.

The agency's web site says: 

We are now accepting donations for the 2010 school year at the LESA Education Center or any of the community based drop-off locations. If you prefer, cash donations are also welcome. If making a cash donation, please make your check or money order payable to LESA and mail it to LESA Backpacks for Kids, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI  48843.

School supplies are on sale now and it's a good time to buy for donations. The Staples in Howell (next to Lowes in the Wal-Mart shopping center) has backpacks on sale at 25-percent and 50-percent off. In addition, if you buy a backpack by this Saturday, July 31, the entire cost will be rebated in the form of a Staples card. That card can be donated to LESA to purchase more supplies. The Howell Staples manager said the store will accept these cards from the holder with no I.D. necessary.

We love this program; it's so much fun to get ready to go back to school!

Pencil Box Club donates $142 to 2010-11 LESA backpack project

The Pencil Box Club wishes the Livingston Educational Services Agency's 2010-11 Backpacks for Kids project a successful season with a $142 donation presented to project coordinator Judy Paulson last week.
Paulson said planning is beginning for next school year's distribution of back-to-school supplies at LESA offices, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue in Howell, MI from 6-8 p.m. on August 19, 2010. Make your own contribution to the project by sending donations to Adminstrative Secretary Judy Paulson at LESA, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48855. You may make your check out to LESA with a note saying the donation is for Backpacks for Kids. For information, call the backpack hotline at 517-540-6833.

Thank you from Rex, from Lili & Acacia, and from LESA

Rex drew a backpack on his thank-you card.

Recently, the Pencil Box Club received a thank you from LESA Backpacks for Kids Committee Chairperson Jean Garratt. Jean said:

The LESA Backpacks for Kids Committee would like to acknowledge and thank you for your support of our school supplies initiative for 2009/10. Your efforts on behalf of children and families in the county will help children begin the school year with the necessary supplies for successful learning. Thanks to your generosity the 2009/10 "Backpacks for Kids" project is once again on its way to being a success.

Inside the envelope were two hand-made, thank-you cards -- one from Lili and Acacia, and one from Rex (above). Rex's thank you included a beautiful drawing of the backpack he carried to school.