Tools For School Helps

Collections for the tools for school program begin Friday, July 30, 2009, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Semmes Wal-Mart. They’ll be at the Tillmans Corner Wal-Mart at during those same hours Saturday. Organizers with the Assistance League of Mobile say their goal is to help 2,000 students.

“So they don't walk into school embarrassed, we want them proud to walk into the classroom,” says Tools for School Chairman Vicky Bedsole. Thursday they were divvying up uniforms for different elementary schools. Bedsole says the program helps students and teachers.

“I believe they're paying money out of their own pocket for supplies so they can carry on in the classroom,” says Bedsole. Organizers say it will be difficult this year to gather all the money and supplies needed but they're confident they'll be able to get it done.

“With our grant money we'll go and shop at Wal-Mart and buy all the additional supplies that we need and it'll happen,” says Bedsole. She says the organization thanks corporate partners like Wal-Mart and Alabama Power for all their help. This is the 15th year of Tools for School. Distribution of supplies will be August 6th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Government Street in Mobile. People interested in applying can contact Catholic Social Services at 251-434-1500. I’m also linking you to other stories we’ve done recently on school supply giveaways for those in need. We did this story yesterday and this one last week.