Wanted: school supplies

They’re three words that children, and many adults, don’t want to hear: back to school. But the reality is, the new school year is less than a month away, and that means it’s time to start shopping for new sneakers, backpacks, pens and notebooks.

But not every child can afford these necessities, and the John Theissen Children’s Foundation is doing its part to provide for the less fortunate. The Wantagh-based foundation is holding its annual school supply drive, and is collecting donations at its family fun center on Wantagh Avenue.

This is the 15th year the organization has held the drive, according to Executive Director John Theissen, of Seaford. It started out as a backpack and school supply drive but has evolved to provide children with new clothes for the new year.

Theissen said that every child receives a backpack full of supplies, a $150 gift card to Old Navy and a $50 gift card to Famous Footwear. “It makes them feel so good about themselves,” he said, of children being able to walk into school on the first day with new outfits and sneakers.

The drive typically helps between 250 and 400 children on Long Island each year, including some from Wantagh, Seaford and surrounding towns where Theissen said the need may not seem evident.

He said it takes roughly $50,000 to fund the program. The foundation’s annual Casino Night raises much of the money, but local residents can also sponsor children.

School supplies are given to sick and underprivileged children. Theissen said that many families are burdened by medical costs for children undergoing treatment for cancer or other ailments, so his foundation helps out with the back-to-school costs.

He explained that many of the families in need of assistance are recommended to the foundation by social workers. “The kids that are receiving the donations are kids that really need it,” he said.

Elected officials and local organizations have partnered with the foundation to ensure that there are ample supplies. The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh was scheduled to host a membership roundup picnic on Aug. 12, and all who attended were asked to bring a new backpack or bag of school supplies.

“All the Kiwanis members who work in offices or own businesses are asking friends, family and customers for supply donations,” club President Heidi Felix said. “We are sending out an appeal to our Key Club members to gather extra supplies during their back-to-school shopping sprees. August is a great month for sales at local stores.”

State Assemblyman David McDonough, who represents Wantagh and Seaford, is collecting supplies at his district office in Bellmore, which will then be given to Theissen. His office, at 404 Bedford Ave., is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“With the rising costs of stationery and education, many Long Island students come back to school lacking important supplies or must share with other students in the classroom,” McDonough said. “Many students are subject to difficult financial situations at home, and their success should not suffer because of that.”

Theissen said that popular items people donate included pens, pencils and notebooks, but items he often falls short on are scissors and index cards.

“Everything has to be new,” he said. “Our goal is to make every kid feel like a regular kid.”

The family fun center, at 1881 Wantagh Ave., is open on weekdays, and will also be open the weekend of Aug. 22-23 to accept donations. The school supply drive runs through Sept. 12. “It’s because of the community that makes it all possible,” Theissen said.