Saturday August 23rd. was a huge day for the Caring for Kids "Ready to Learn Fair."

256 children and their families were helped in a variety of ways by the Caring for Kids volunteers and many others. These children are now better prepared for the first day of school than ever before!

All costs are covered by donations from the community with any shortfall made up by the local Red Cross Chapter as approved by the Board Leadership.

The Fire department was there, the Police department was there. Caring for Kids volunteers who had been working for months to be ready for this day were there. Schools who had clothing drives, volunteers who washed and sorted the clothing, volunteers who made many trips to the storage facility to store the clothing then bring it back to be inventoried and made ready for the "Fair."

Volunteer case workers who worked non-stop all day to provide vouchers for shoes to all who were in need. Volunteer salon owners and employees who provided haircuts to the kids on their own time so that heads will be held high on that first day of school. All this plus the monetary donations from PTA's, Service Clubs and individual donors large and small which were used to purchase backpacks and basic school supplies.

Short of a major disaster this is probably the most significant service the local Red Cross Chapter participates in to provide outreach to the community. It is gratifying to know that in this year of exceptional need, the Red Cross Board leadership had stepped up to say "let's make this the best "Ready to Learn Fair" ever."

Next school year is not that far away. Small donations now can make a huge difference next August. It is only going to get more and more difficult to maintain the level of service to our communities children that they deserve. Did "No Child Left Behind" really mean anything? Let's hope so!

The Caring For Kids program is available all year through the local Red Cross. Caring For Kids  personnel are all volunteers and donations go directly to support the children. Please consider a donation to our program. Working together in small ways, we are accomplishing great things for the children.