News
Supplies needed to give kids fresh start this school year
Friday, July 24, 2009
By Toya Graham - Fort Mill Times
Valeria Mickel doesn't take many things for granted, especially her role as a godmother. So when her good friend battled cancer, Mickel opened her heart and home to her godchildren.
“She came to me and asked if they could stay with me while she went through her treatment,” Mickel said of her friend's two children, ages 5 and 2.
Then everything changed.
“She passed while they were in my care,” Mickel said of the late Cametrice Baxter.
Baxter's death triggered Mickel to step up her role as godmother.
Now, the Rock Hill physical education teacher's youngest children are 10 and 7. As they and their older siblings grew, the economy took a downturn. Now, money is tight for the family.
“We live month to month,” Mickel said. “I give them what they need. I can't provide the wants.”
And a certain reality comes with school starting next month.
“It's difficult, trying to buy school supplies,” Mickel said.
But not this year.
That's because The Herald and the Sheriff's Foundation of York County — a group composed of York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant and sheriff's office employees who foster public recognition, support and understanding for the role of law enforcement within the community — along with the Rock Hill school district are sponsoring a school supply drive for the second straight year. The initiative aims to make sure every child in York County has the gear they need to start the school year.
“That's great,” Mickel said of the school supply drive. “It will help us give to our children what some people take for granted.”
Organizers are seeking donations of basic school supplies, such as pens, pencils, paper and book bags.
“It's difficult for most of us to stretch a dollar these days,” said Elaine Baker, Rock Hill school district spokeswoman. “Most children don't understand the dilemma their parents are facing. The children simply want to fit in with their peers, especially in a school setting.
New supplies can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday at the Rock Hill school district administrative office. The drive ends Aug.10.
“Last year, I couldn't get my kids book bags,” Mickel said. “Someone else did. It allowed them (her children) to feel wonderful.”
Mickel has a job, but many others don't. York County's unemployment rate in June soared to 14.6 percent, said Annie Reid, area director for the S.C. Employment Security Commission.
And the unemployment forecast doesn't look any better, she said.
“It could get a little worse, but I'm hopeful,” she said. “When the economy takes an upswing, I'm sure we will start to see more employers offering more jobs. But it takes time.”
With the first day of school approaching within weeks, Mickel and other parents are running out of time to find money or stretch limited funds to purchase basic supplies.
“Something as small as a book bag,” she said. “They have to have that new book bag to start the new year off. Without it, they feel like they're not starting on the same level as their classmates.”
If you are interested in making a donation of school supplies but are not in the Rock Hill area, please contact Rachel@risesc.org.
