Monday, July 20, 2015

Gasconade County R-2 Students Gear Up for a New Year

Heartland Independent Living Center held their first of three events on Friday July 10th at the Rosebud American Legion Hall. By the end of the event, 173 students (Kindergarten thru 12th grade) left with backpacks loaded with the necessary supplies for the upcoming school year.

Each student came through the door and was able to pick their backpack color. Then they traveled among the tables and gathered information and the school supplies as they went. Height and weight checks provided by Capital Region, a portable germ center provided by the Medical Clinic of Owensville, and hearing checks provided by the Lions Club, among other services were provided at the event.

Twenty-six vendors helped to make the event a success, by providing additional supplies to those purchased by community donations and Heartland funds. The supplies provided included Crayola markers, crayons and colored pencils; as well as, loose leaf paper, notebooks, books (donated by Scholastic), shampoo and conditioner (donated by Unilever), and much more. In total each student left with approximately $30 to $40 worth of supplies purchased by Heartland staff, plus all the extras provided by the vendors.

Heartland would like to give a very heartfelt thank you to all the donors, vendors, and community that made the event possible in the first place.

“Heartland was very pleased with the community’s response to our first Back to School Fair for students living in the Gasconade Country R-2 school district,” said Patrick Chamber, Executive Director of Heartland Independent Living Center. “We appreciate the cooperation of the American Legion Post in Rosebud, and the 26 vendors who provided students with school supplies and information at the event.”

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.  

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