By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Next month, Oxford and Lake Orion students will head back to school for another year of learning new things and preparing for the real world.
Unfortunately, the reality is not every student’s family can afford a backpack or the laundry list of school supplies needed to achieve success in the classroom.
That’s why Oxford-Orion FISH is once again stepping up to make sure local students, from kindergartners to high school seniors, don’t have to go without when the bell rings.
Now through Thursday, Aug. 27, FISH is seeking donations in the form of backpacks and school supplies including three-ring binders, line paper, pocket folders, mechanical pencils, Sharpie markers, highlighters, scissors, lined notebooks, pencil sharpeners and pencil cases.
The only thing not needed is crayons.
‘I have a million crayons,? said Oxford resident Lynn Kennis, who’s chaired FISH’s school backpack committee for four years. ‘We usually give two boxes of crayons to the young kids.?
FISH is expecting to receive more than 185 requests for backpacks and school supplies from its clients.
‘That’s the average of what we’ve done in the past,? Kennis said. ‘Last year, about 198 kids got backpacks filled with supplies.?
That’s not including the 27 or so held in reserve for the children of future FISH clients. ‘We always give them a backpack,? she said.
Many FISH clients simply cannot afford to purchase backpacks and school supplies for their children because their limited incomes are generally used to provide basic necessities for their families such as food, clothing and shelter.
This annual charity drive is particularly close to Kennis? heart because she spent 24 years as a special education teacher in the Lake Orion school district.
‘I think every child should start school with the supplies they need,? she said. ‘I know our schools do offer a lot, but they also ask the kids (to supply) a lot.?
All of the supplies FISH is requesting come directly from the lists Oxford and Lake Orion teachers send home to parents at the beginning of each school year.
‘They’re pretty basic items ? binders, folders, markers,? Kennis said. ‘The stuff we put in the backpacks really just gets the kids started. Usually by Christmastime, they need refills.?
For those thinking about donating, Kennis said ‘now is the time? to shop because most stores are having their back-to-school sales and there are some terrific deals to be had.
‘I was just at Meijer and they had notebooks for 17 cents,? she said. ‘When school starts, all the prices go back to normal.?
The backpacks and supplies will be distributed to the kids on Saturday, Aug. 29. Each student gets to choose the backpack he or she wants. ‘You should see their faces ? the smiles,? Kennis said. ‘They light up.?
She recalled how excited a fourth-grade girl was when she received a backpack featuring One Direction, a famous English-Irish pop boy band.
‘She saw that and she just melted,? Kennis said. ‘It was the backpack she had been wanting, but her mom couldn’t afford. She was lucky it was here. It was just right moment. She was so cute.?
Donations can be dropped off at the FISH pantry between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The pantry is located at 487 First St., just east of Thomas Rd. in the unincorporated community of Thomas.
Thomas is located in the northern part of Oxford Township between Oakwood and Davison Lake roads, east of M-24.
For those who can’t deliver their donations to the pantry, free pickup is available by calling the FISH hotline at (248) 628-3933.
‘If they call and leave a message on our voicemail, I will go pick it up,? Kennis said.
Kennis wished to express her heartfelt gratitude to Oxford and Orion residents for all the donations and volunteer time FISH constantly receives from them.
‘We’re so blessed here at FISH because this community really supports us,? she said.