School supplies now available

Public donates to Kinsmen’s program for those in need

Members of the New Waterford Kinsmen Club say thanks to the generosity of the public, children needing assistance will receive school supplies.

Earlier this week, Angus Gillis, a director with the club, issued a plea for donations for the Ida and Martin Schwartz Memorial Back to School Supplies program.

“The public did respond and I’m not surprised,” Gillis said. “Every year when we’re short they come through for us.”

Gillis said about 100 children have registered to receive assistance.

Gillis said he was at a meeting Monday night when the appeal for help was first posted to the Cape Breton Post website and almost immediately someone donated $20. The following day donations continued including $500 from Dr. Raymond MacGillivray and $500 from the New Waterford Rotary Club.

Gillis said a man who recently moved to the area from Ontario made a $200 donation.

“He said he read about it in the (Post) and wanted to help. I was flabbergasted that someone not even from here comes down wanting to help.”

In total Gillis said donations had reached about $1,500 as of noon Wednesday. The money was used to buy the required supplies.

Gillis is searching for two families — each with three children —who applied for help but didn’t collect the school supplies and he hopes they will contact him.

Gillis said any extra donations of supplies or money are always put to good use as they always receive calls for assistance after the school year begins.

“If we get those calls we’ll do the best we can to help them.”

Gillis said the parents of the children assisted are always appreciative but it’s the reaction of the children that’s memorable.

“When I ask if they need a school bag and then tell them to go pick one out of the ones we have, their eyes light up. It’s always amazing to see how happy the kids are.”

Anyone still wishing to assist or have donations picked up can telephone Angus Gillis at 902-862-7555 or 902-561-6960.