“Giving Tree” raises cash and supplies
By Lisa Crockett
A group of alumni from Leadership Douglas County, a coalition of civic and business leaders, organized a summertime school supply drive called the “Giving Tree, Douglas County United for Students.” The chairperson of the effort, Susan Squyer, worked with the Douglas County Educational Foundation to gather supplies and provide them to students and schools with the greatest need.
This year the Giving Tree invited Douglas County small businesses to get in on the act, providing supplies for them to collect small donations of a dollar or two for customers and clients at the time they make payments. Businesses county-wide collected small amounts – but a little cash goes a long way to help students get the things they need.
“It’s evident the effect the down economy is having on this effort,” said Squyer, who noted that cash donations were down about 25 percent this year. “We’re very grateful for everything we’ve gotten, and we want donors to know that even a small donation can make a big difference to a family in need.”
Squyer said that the response from the small-business community was strongly supportive, and she looks forward to building on that enthusiasm in years to come.
In addition to cash, donations of needed items – things like backpacks, pencils, paper, markers, binders and even flash drives – were collected at area Safeway stores and Douglas County Libraries. The Lone Tree Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) and the Douglas County Community Safety Volunteers teamed up and made a cash donation, as did the Douglas County Sheriff’s Association. Skyridge Hospital collected donations, and Fish City Grill hosted a fundraiser. In all, $2,500 and more than 3,700 items were given to the Douglas County Educational Foundation.
Donations to the Douglas County Educational Foundation’s “Fill the Gap” program are still being accepted and students in need are still eligible to receive necessary supplies. For more information, visit schools.dcsdk12.org/education/dept/ and click on “Fill the Gap.”
