Donations add up for students starting school

School starts this week, and with it, all the last minute preparations. Not only do students have to prepare themselves mentally for another year of teachers, tests, and time constraints after the summer break, but parents have to prepare, as well. For one, they have to meet the financial demands that education brings.

Even public school -- what we've come to call free education -- isn't really free. Anyone tallying up the cost of notebooks, writing utensils and glue sticks knows that. And have you caught what backpacks are selling for these days? School certainly is taxing on the old checkbook, so organizations that lend a helping hand are very much appreciated.

Several organizations are doing just that, with the help of area residents. Local Wal-Marts, for example, held the Second Annual Stuff the Bus on Saturday, Jackson and Cape Girardeau among them. Some of the supplies donated were rulers, notebooks, backpacks, scissors, highlighters and pocket folders. The radio stations of Withers Broadcasting, KFVS12 and United Way collaborated in this effort.

On Aug. 3 at the Shawnee Park Center, Robert Harris, founder of the Cape Girardeau Community Gardens, also lent a hand to help with the back-to-school strains families face. Since 2011, he has organized an event for students ages 6 through 12. Urban Kids Projects seeks to "expose kids to more than just urban life," he recently told the Southeast Missourian. Organizations in attendance included Community Caring Council, Cross Trails Medical Center and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Back-to-school supplies were dispersed.

First General Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau combined fun and philanthropy for students. On Aug. 1, the church hosted a back-to-school carnival with food, carnival games and tickets for free school supplies -- donated by the church.

Yesterday, the generosity continued, as the Salvation Army and the United Way came together at Salvation Army-Cape Girardeau for another year of helping families get students started off on the right track and helping ease the burdens.

It's encouraging to see so many organizations and individuals willing to help young people and their families. We all know how valuable education is, so when our young students are equipped with the tools they need for success, we as a community are all better off. Thank you to all who continue to take part.