Cox Children's Center collects school supplies

It’s no secret the cost of school supplies can quickly add up. That’s why kids of all ages at the University of Illinois Springfield Cox Children’s Center are pitching in to help families in need.

Everyone from toddlers to school aged children camped out on the UIS quad Thursday, August 5, collecting supplies from UIS staff and friends who stopped by.

“Crayons, markers, glue and tape,” are just some of the items 6-year-old Zakarriah said were needed for the drive.

The goal of the collection is to assist families living on the UIS campus. The remaining supplies will be donated to the Ball-Chatham School District, in which the UIS campus resides.

“Here on the UIS campus we have many students who are also parents,” said Alison Williams, a teacher at Cox. “These are hard economic times. We have a lot of single parents and married parents as well and we’re here to assist them.”

The students also learned a lesson about advertising. They spent time making signs and posters, which they carried asking for donations.

“They’re saying donate school supplies and thank you for donating school supplies,” said 5-year old Kylee, who will be entering kindergarten this year.

The supply drive started on Monday, August 2 and will conclude on Tuesday, August 10. In addition to supplies the center is also accepting cash to buy items.

“We truly hope that the entire UIS community will reach out because these are future UIS students, so they need to invest in these children right now,” said Williams.

For a complete list of needed school supplies visit the Cox Children’s Center website