The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center is seeking individuals, businesses, churches and organizations to provide school supplies and volunteer for The Heights Center’s annual outreach program. The July 27 event will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at The Heights Center and provides backpacks and school supplies for 500 low-income children living in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.
“Our goal is to ensure that every child in Harlem Heights has the necessary supplies to succeed in school,” said Kathryn Kelly, president and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average. Many parents cannot provide all the things their student will need. We want to send our students back to school ready to learn.”
The Center has a wish list that includes new and durable backpacks, three-ring binders, highlighters, paper, USB flash drives, scissors, folders, crayons, pencils, glue sticks, markers, paper and notebooks. “We are looking for organizations whose members can band together to meet the need,” said Melissa Barlow, The Heights Center’s outreach coordinator. “The 500 backpacks are the largest investment, costing more than $7,000 and supplies for each student cost $50. A business may be able to sponsor the backpacks, a church or philanthropic organization could provide crayons, markers or notebooks. Monetary donations may also be made online at our website or mailed.”
The Heights Foundation school supply drop off locations include The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers 33908; Peace Lutheran Church, 15840 
McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers 33908; Westminster Presbyterian Church, 9065 Ligon Ct, Fort Myers 33908; and Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers 33919.
Organizations and businesses hosting collection drives include: Crown Colony Golf & Country Club Community, Florida Blue, Hertz, Kelly Greens Golf & Country Club Community, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution – Estero Island Chapter, The Scotlynn Group and Target.
Individuals, businesses, churches or organizations interested in donating or volunteering can contact Melissa Barlow at (239) 482-7706 or melissa@heightsfoundation.org. All donations are tax deductible. Monetary donations can be made on the web at www.heightsfoundation.org/donate, or mailed to The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908.
