Family & Children’s Association seeks donations of new back-to-school supplies and clothing for area families in need.
One such family is the Reades, who recently lost their mother to childbirth. The eldest Reade daughter, 24, stepped in to be the caretaker to her 11 siblings, ages two to 20, to ensure that the family could stay together and not risk being sent to foster homes. This brave young woman is juggling all the responsibilities of meeting the varied needs of her brothers and sisters and managing the household duties, all while holding down a full-time job, where she earns minimum wage.
“Families are really struggling right now, and we’d like to help them get their children and teenagers ready for school with adequate supplies and new school clothes,” said Joyce Mullen, Family & Children’s communications director. “We’re asking our friends and neighbors to pick up extra notebooks, sneakers, markers or backpacks while they’re out shopping for their own children and grandchildren. This is a concrete way to make a difference in our area.”
Donations of gift cards to mass retailers, sneakers, sweatshirts and jeans along with the pencils, backpacks and notebooks can be brought to the group’s office at 100 E. Old Country Rd., 2nd floor, in Mineola. The phone number is 516-746-0350. The website is www.familyandchildrens.org/donate.
