Make a Difference: Donate School Supplies

Last year, AARP launched Create The Good®, an exciting new initiative that is helping AARP members and older adults across the nation answer the call to service and make a difference in their communities. Create The Good® expands on traditional ways to volunteer by connecting people with simple but meaningful activities, time-flexible opportunities, and a wide variety of areas of interest.

This summer, Create The Good® is encouraging AARP members and others to help children succeed in school by holding school supply drives in their communities. To make things easy, we’ve created a “How to Hold a School Supply Drive” toolkit, which provides step-by-step instructions, helpful tips and even sample communications to help you organize and promote your drive.

With high unemployment and many families struggling to make ends meet, many parents are unable to provide the basic school supplies their children need to be effective. In addition, schools across the country are facing severe budget cuts and lack the funding to purchase necessary supplies.

Many towns, churches or local service organizations accept donations of school supplies. To find out if there is a school supply drive or donation program in your community, call 2-1-1 or your local school board.

AARP Connecticut is helping to sponsor the Meriden Back to School EXPO and 7th Annual Book Bag Drive in Meriden, Aug. 24. Donations are being accepted until Aug. 15. Volunteers also are needed to help stuff book bags the week of Aug. 16-20. If you are interested in donating supplies or volunteering with AARP at this event, please contact Erica Michalowski, AARP Connecticut Director of Community Outreach, by calling 1-866-295-7279 or send an email to emichalowski@aarp.org.

By donating school supplies or organizing your own school supply drive, you can help children in school by giving them the tools they need to succeed.

Whatever your time commitment or however you choose to get involved, you’ll know that you are making a positive difference in your community by supporting students, teachers and your local schools.

Find everything you need to get started.

Questions? Call us toll-free at 866-295-7279 or send an email to ctaarp@aarp.org.
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