The second annual KIDS 2 KIDS drive,involving 62,000 students from Los Altos and Mountain View, collectsnew and used school supplies and clothing for kids in need iscurrently taking place at Los Altos and Mountain View high schools.
The drive is held during the last two weeks of school to encouragerecycling rather than discarding used items and to ensure thatthe items, both new and used, will get to those who so need them,before the start of the next school year, according to organizers.
KIDS 2 KIDS was developed last year by students at Los AltosHigh School. The group is a response to several newspaper articlesthat pointed out the need for school supplies and clothing forlocal school-age. The lack of these necessary items was linkedwith low self-esteem and diminished school performance.
The program has two goals: to supply children, from kindergartento 12th grade, with essential items and to give children of allages in our schools an opportunity to help others by providinga community service program for them that is meaningful and oneto which they can relate. Since the kids may donate used or newitems, everyone has the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.As the director of one homeless shelter said, “Even brokencrayons can be put to good use.”
Grocery bags, donated by Safeway Stores, with attached instructionsare handed out to every child in participating schools. The bagsare collected by high school students, sorted, cleaned and distributedto local schools, homeless shelters and community agencies fordistribution to children and families.
Last year, schools in Los Altos identified 70 needy children,all of whose needs were met through KIDS 2 KIDS. Additionally,KIDS 2 KIDS provided school supplies and clothing to approximately85 families in homeless shelters and more than 150 other childrenin Santa Clara County through local community service agencies,organizers said.
In order to serve more children, KIDS 2 KIDS is in the processof expanding its program into an annual community-wide effortinvolving local merchants, businesses and community organizations.Organizers hope to eventually take the program to schools andcommunities throughout Santa Clara County.
Individuals or businesses wishing to make donations orto find out more about KIDS 2 KIDS, call 949-0556.
Go to: [This Week’s Stories][Search All Issues][LA Online]
© Copyright 1996. Select Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
