Rotary Club of West Chester donates $1,000 in school supplies

The start of a new school year brings excitement and promise for a quality education for all students in the West Chester Area School District. Unfortunately, not all students have the financial means to outfit themselves with the supplies needed for success. But thanks to a generous donation of school supplies from the West Chester Rotary Club and Penn Office Products, economically disadvantaged students in the district are starting the year off on the right foot.

Representatives from the Rotary Club and Penn Office Products delivered $1,000 dollars worth of school supplies to the Spellman Education Center in Exton on Sept. 5. District case workers were kept busy sorting and delivering the supplies that included binders, folders, crayons, pens, pencils, calculators, composition books, headphones, and paper for distribution to students throughout the district.

“The start of the school year can be an overwhelming time financially for families,” said Trisha Alston, West Chester Area School District social worker coordinator. “We are so thankful to have this partnership with the West Chester Rotary Club and Penn Office Products and be able to support families by providing needed school supplies.

The 2017-18 school year marks the 15th year that the Rotary Club has donated supplies to the District. Mac Neilon, West Chester Rotarian, and owner of Penn Office Products, chairs the annual supply project and assembled the items for donation.

“We are fulfilling an effort that directly helps people that are in need of help and it feels great,” said Neilon.

Neilon said the funds to purchase the supplies are generated via the Rotary Club’s annual Chili Cook-Off event, which is held every October.

SUBMITTED PHOTO West Chester Rotary Club members pose for a photo of some of the supplies that will be donated to local schools.

SUBMITTED PHOTO West Chester Rotary Club members lend a helping hand to pack school supplies.