The Burlington County Commissioners, Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton want to make sure every Burlington County child is prepared to return to school this fall.

Now through August 15, the Commissioners Board, Sheriff’s Office and Senator will collect donations of new school supplies, backpacks, and other back to school items for local families in need. 

“The start of the new school year is fast approaching and getting all the supplies students need can be a financial hardship for some families,” said Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson, the Board’s liaison to the Department of Human Services. “We want to make sure every child in Burlington County is properly equipped so we have once again teamed up with Senator Singleton and the Sheriff’s Office to collect backpacks and back-to-school items to assist those families who may be struggling to provide the essentials.”

“Helping students begin the year with new backpacks and supplies is something our legislative team has done regularly,” said Senator Singleton, who first took office in 2011. “By joining forces with the County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office, we hope to ensure even more students have the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year.”      

The donations are being accepted at Burlington County libraries, the lobbies of Burlington County buildings, the Sheriff’s Office Community Services Unit and Senator Singleton’s legislative office at 400 North Church Street, Suite 260, Moorestown.

Suggested donations include: backpacks, calculators, binders, paper, folders, notebooks, composition books, pencils, pencil cases, pens, crayons, markers, highlighters, erasers, small hand sanitizers, lunch boxes, scissors and index cards. Only new items will be accepted.

Last year, the Commissioners, Sheriff’s Office and Senator collected more than a thousand items that were distributed to families in need.

“Burlington County residents have demonstrated extraordinary generosity time and time again, and we’re confident they will continue to help children in need this summer,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Tom Pullion. “Every child deserves to get the best education possible, and we want to ensure all students begin the school year with all the supplies they need.”

“Throughout the entire year, the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office works to help our communities, particularly those who need it the most. This time it’s our children,” said Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis. “We want every Burlington County student to start the school year right, and partnering with the County Commissioners and Senator Singleton on this drive is a perfect example of how working together can make a difference.” 

Original Article