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Oakdale Elementary Kids Give Back After School
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Sixth grader Cassi Perez, right, and Drew Dickman gather and stack bags of clothes together to be loaded up for delivery on Dec. 17. The Fair Oaks after school program conducted a clothing drive to benefit Family Support Network. - photo by DAWN M. HENLEY/THE LEADER
A recent two-week clothing drive at Fair Oaks Elementary School resulted in filling 11 large boxes and 10 medium size trash bags of assorted clothing.
The school’s after school program held its first clothes drive earlier this month. The items, in sizes baby through adult, included shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, sweatshirts, blankets, shoes, socks, and so on. The clothing was loaded up and delivered on Dec. 17 to the Family Support Network.
After school program manager Matt Dillon knew early on that the drive was going to be successful. He said that by the third day, most of their boxes were full and they had to obtain more.
“I am trying to instill the importance of giving back and community service in the students who attend the after school program at Fair Oaks,” Dillon said. “…we have had a few teachers get involved in the clothes drive and donate their personal belongings as well. The school has really rallied around the concept.”
He noted that the drive had started within the after school program but the word spread and the collection boxes were kept in the school cafeteria, so staff members and students outside the program also began to donate items, including toys.
The clothing drive wasn’t the only service activity that students had been involved with recently.
“We have (also) sent over 200 letters and drawings to service men and women overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan for the holidays,” Dillon said.