PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — For more than 10 years, the Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle has taken a local school under its wing and provided supplies to help students, parents and teachers face the school year fully prepared.
The tradition continued Aug. 24 when club members visited Pine Street Elementary School in Presque Isle to present nearly $700 worth of backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, printer paper and other items in time for the start of school on Sept. 7.
The annual project is something the club relishes.
“It’s helping the children of the community,” said Kiwanis Secretary and past Lieutenant Governor Sue Watson. “Every child should come to school with a new backpack and everything they need.”
The supplies are not designated for specific students or classrooms, but rather are available for anyone to use throughout the school year.
The club usually designates at least $300 for the effort, Watson said. The United Way of Aroostook pitched in as well this year, which was a welcome boost since supplies are becoming more expensive and teachers often have to use their own money to buy classroom materials.
“This way, they always have something on hand if they need it,” she said.
The Kiwanis gift was gratefully accepted by Pine Street Principal Bill Guerrette and Family School Coordinator Holly Vigue.
“When kids are able to come to school with the supplies they need, they can start the school year with confidence,” Vigue said. “We want kids to be prepared and not worry about having what they need.”
The project means a great deal to the school because students are provided for, and what’s more, parents don’t have to worry about the financial burden of getting their kids ready for school, she said.
Guerrette said the donation is also meaningful because it’s a yearly event that reflects, in the age of the pandemic, what normalcy is all about.
“What I like to see — and this is a great example — is to have something like this that goes directly to our kids and our teachers,” Guerrette said. “Having that tradition continue is really special.”
Families who need supplies for their students may contact the school office for information.
