School clothes, shoes are tough homework task

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: August 31, 2008

While several districts in Virginia are waiting until after Monday’s holiday to get their school buses running, students in our area already have been hard at work.

But many of our youngsters are still in need of school supplies.

Amy Huml at Region Ten is trying to help at least three local families come up with enough clothes for the fall. One is a single dad and his two sons, ages 14 and 16.

“The family was homeless and staying with relatives, but they were finally able to rent a small house,” said Huml, a children’s case manger at Region Ten.

Although the dad works full time, Huml said, he has been hit with the costs of moving — security deposit, rent and furnishing their new home.

“The cost of moving has left the family with no resources to pay for new clothes and shoes for the boys for the school year,” she said.

This family of three is just one of several Region Ten clients. They all need help with clothes, shoes and school supplies, such as large backpacks for older middle and high school age students.

“All of these families are either living on disability income or a single parent income, which is low enough for their children to qualify for free or reduced lunch,” Huml said. “The schools can give a one-time voucher, but these families report that the vouchers, while helpful, don’t go very far when they are trying to purchase all the items necessary to start the school year.”

If you would you like to sponsor a child by helping with school clothing, supplies and shoe needs, call Amy Huml at Region Ten. The phone number is 970-2106.

Readers’ response

An illness can devastate a family, but a community can offer hope. Ivy Coe, a project manager at Creative Family Solutions Inc., was trying to help one of her clinicians who had a brain hemorrhage. 

“It was very serious,” Coe had said, “and she wasn’t expected to make it.”

But the hard-working mother of two small children has been struggling to battle back, learning to walk and talk again. During her recovery, however, she was unable to work. Her part-time college classes were set aside.

“Not once during her recovery did she say ‘I can’t do it.’ In fact, she called every week to let me know that she was coming back to work.”

Although she has started back to work, the bills piled up while she was undergoing treatment. Her car was repossessed earlier this month.

Coe went on a mission to help this family. She set up a Gift of Hope fund and spoke with co-workers and other groups. They, and very generous readers of The Daily Progress, rallied behind this family.

“We had a significant number of calls,” Coe said. “A lot of people made donations.” She raised nearly $6,000. It was enough to get the woman’s car back and to bring her mortgage up to date.

“She is so thankful,” Coe said. “She had almost given up hope, then all these people helped pay her bills. She is so grateful and happy. God bless all those people.”