Ohio County Schools ‘Giving Tree’ Opens
Photo by Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING - A lot of times children skip school just because they feel they don't have the right clothes to wear and believe they won't fit with others in the classroom, says Ohio County Schools Communities In Schools liaison Stacy Dietz.
Some students have sad stories, but not the sweatshirts, jeans and shoes their classmates have, she explained.
The school district's "Giving Tree" is now open in the annex behind Triadelphia Middle School, and is being stocked with clothing, food and home items for whenever students or their families have a need.
It has been established through the new Community In Schools program now happening in Ohio County Schools.
Students and their families eligible to partake in the Giving Tree must be referred by their school's guidance counselor or principal,
"Some kids have attendance issues because they don't feel they have the 'in' clothes to fit in," Dietz said. "They also don't think they will get the opportunity to have those things.
"Our thought is maybe they will want to go to school if they feel good about themselves."
The "Giving Tree" is especially in need of donations of clothes for elementary school age children, as well as girls clothes for all ages.
"We are looking for new or like-new donations," Dietz said. "The kids - they want to be hip."
She told the story of one student who suddenly had to leave their home without belongings, and was in need of jeans. The student quietly asked Dietz if the new jeans "could be ripped."
"I told them if they weren't we could rip them," Dietz said. "(They) wanted to fit in and be like the other kids."
Members of the public wanting to donate to the "Giving Tree" may bring items only from 8-10 a.m. on Fridays at the annex.
Delivering items at other times could disrupt bus traffic into the school and the flow of the school day, Dietz advised.
"We do not want people to randomly drop off items and just leave them outside," she said. "We don't want that for the buses. It could also be very overwhelming if things are just left outside in the weather."
Clothing isn't the only thing available in The Giving Tree. There are also non-perishable food items on hand, as well cleaning products and household items.
For those students who have a problem getting to school on time, there is a selection of clocks on hand.
The Giving Tree also is seeking corporate donations from local businesses.
Dietz thanked Walmart at The Highlands for their initial contributions of clothing and other items before the opening of The Giving Tree.
"Walmart has been wonderful," she said. "They brought us clothing, house supplies and shoes and we never called them. They called us."
In addition, students often need specific sizes in clothing often The Giving Tree might not have on hand. Dietz said when this has occurred, the items have been purchased using The Giving Tree's funding.
She said gift cards donated by local businesses or the public could be especially useful.
Businesses or individuals wanting to donate to The Giving Tree should contact the Ohio County Schools central office at 304-243-0300
The new Communities In Schools program in West Virginia works to place social workers within schools, who are then charged with forging community partnerships and matching available social resources with families who need them. It is being paid for through funds provided by the West Virginia Department of Education.