Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

November 19, 2012

Donations sought for Christmas Shopping Spree

By ROSIE GITHINJI rosie.githinji@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — — The Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Regional Office of Education is taking about 200 children shopping during its annual Christmas Shopping Spree and is asking for donations to make it possible.

Melanie Andrews, a board member on the Kids At Risk Educationally Foundation, said the money will be used to purchase clothing and other essential items needed by the children. No toys will be purchased with the donations.

Andrews said the foundation would accept clothing donations, but those donations would be used at other times, not for this particular program.

The KARE Foundation is taking children shopping through Dec. 6. Any money sent or brought in to the ROE offices by Dec. 6 will be utilized for the Christmas Shopping Spree program. The children will be supervised during the shopping trips, she said. Any money that is donated to the KARE Foundation after Dec. 6 will be used for other programs, such as an end of year scholarship program.

Last year, about 225 children benefited from the program. Andrews said this year, there are at least 200 children from both Hamilton and Jefferson counties who will be helped. She added that the number of students helped will depend on the amount of donations received.

“The schools pick the students they think may need help,” Andrews said. “The teachers are very good at noticing the needs of the children who need help.”

Any money received by the KARE Foundation goes directly to helping children in Jefferson and Hamilton counties, Andrews said of the organization.

“I don’t think you can have enough service agencies to help students in need,” she said. “The KARE organization was started to directly impact students who are in need.”

Teachers and administration donate money on a monthly basis to help with programs such as the Christmas Shopping Spree, Andrews said. She added this is the first year she has directly asked businesses and individuals for help.

Anyone who wishes to donate can mail in or drop off donations at the Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Regional Office of Education, 1714 Broadway or call 244-8040 for more information and ask for Andrews.

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