Local collection drive set for Aug. 8
The Iola Lions Club and the Iola Lioness Club are teaming up with the Iola-Scandinavia School District and inviting the community to help them “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies.
Stuff the Bus is much like a food drive, but school supplies are collected instead of food.
The school supply drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, in the parking lot of the Iola Sentry Store.
Supplies can also be dropped off at the Iola Sentry Store any time prior to Aug. 8.
Specific lists of supplies by grade are available at the I-S Elementary School office or at the Iola Sentry Store.
Cash donations are also appreciated.
“The donated school supplies will make a difference in the lives of our local children and will give them the supplies they need to be successful in school,” said Maggie Jones, project chairperson for the Iola Lioness Club.
“The school supplies will be distributed by our teachers as needed throughout the year,” said I-S District Administrator David Dyb. “Many students run out of supplies midway through the year, and these donations will be a welcome addition.”
To expand this year’s drive, donations can be made online at the website www.roonga.com/iolastuffthebus.
The website includes a list of items specifically identified to be of greatest need in the I-S School District. All items purchased online will be shipped to the school at no cost to the school or the donor.
Last year, Stuff the Bus donations were valued at more the $1,700. The goal for 2015 is $2,000 worth of supplies.
Jones said the need is great.
In 2013-14, 43.3 percent of Wisconsin public school students were eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. In some school districts, the number is as high as 91.2 percent. Statewide, the estimated cost per child for school supplies in 2014 was $101.
The Iola Lions Club has 80 members and meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at Glacier Woods Golf Club.
The Iola Lioness Club has 63 members and meets on the fourth Monday of the month at Silver Lake Lanes (April through October) and I-S Community Fitness and Aquatic Center (October through March).
Lions and Lioness clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within their community and work together to fulfill those needs.
For more information or to get involved with the Iola Lions/Lioness Club, contact Lion Mike Jacquart at 715-445-4386 or Lioness Jane Myhra at 715-256-4436.