Page 21 - Ohio Family Magazine Aug13

Paying It Forward

for Back to School

By Debbie Ashley

few weeks ago I made my
first move into the world
A of back-to-school shop-
ping 2013. It seems this process
begins a little earlier each year.
I am convinced that one of these
days the back-to-school sales will Stark County
finally catch up with the end of the
previous school year and we will have Children’s Services:
end-of-the-school year sales instead. Donations can be dropped off at the
(In similar fashion, someday Christmas Children Services Division of Stark
decorations will be displayed all County Job & Family Services in
year, when the after-Christmas sales the Renkert Building, 300 Market
finally meet up with the early-bird Avenue North in Canton; preferably
sales for the coming year!) by August 12th. We also can make
Nevertheless, with my 30% off arrangements to pick up donations
coupon and some cash discounts, from companies that hold back-to-
I convinced my daughter to join school drives for Project KARE.
me in shopping for some clothing Contact person:
items needed for her upcoming Michelle Neisel, Project KARE
transition to 7th grade. My daugh- Coordinator, Phone: 330-451-8846
ter is a great shopper, possessing a or neisem@odjfs.state.oh.us.
willingness to steer towards sales
and clearance racks. A few hours Summit County
and a lot of fun later, we had ob-
tained many needed items and had Children’s Services:
saved more than we spent. Re- Contact person: Sandy DeLuca;
warding shopping for sure! phone: 330-379-1994, or email:
However, I must confess we did sdeluca@summitkids.org. There
not come home strictly with school is also specific information at their
supplies. My daughter is also a source of website, www.summitkids.org. Look
ever-flowing new ideas about what would under “donor/volunteer opportuni-
look cool in her bedroom, her locker, or even what’s not to love about a dis- ties” for instructions on both mon-
her hair. Shopping always boosts her flow of co ball for your bedroom – it’s a great way to etary donations as well as a list of
ideas, and this shopping trip was no different. fall asleep! needed school supply donations.
So in addition to the needed school items, we In thinking about generosity, this past
came home with a Disco Planet party light, weekend I became aware of an opportunity Tuscarawas County
complete with “double-stacked rotating disco for our family to be generous towards chil-
balls with LED orbitals which throw colorful dren in our own neighborhoods who need Children’s Services:
reflections in all directions.” I know, I know the same school supplies my daughter needs. Contact person: Katie Wilson; phone:
– what does that have to do with school, you Children in the care of our county Children’s 330-339-7791, ext. 245. They will
ask? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. With my Services do not have their own moms and give you specific information about
combination of sales, coupons and discounts, dads present to take them school shopping bringing donations to their facility.
and knowing how much fun my daughter and perhaps indulge in the little extras that
would have with this item, I splurged a little can be so fun. While foster families do their
and bought it for her. Just because. best to provide for these children, our local
Being able to do things for my daughter Children’s Service agencies also try to fill
– just because - is one of the joys of being in the gap. This time of year there is a great Debbie Ashley is a stay-
a mom. There are plenty of times I have to need for the community to donate school at-home mom and part-
say no to a purchase, sometimes due to care- supplies for children who are waiting for a time piano instructor who
ful budgeting, sometimes to teach lessons forever home. Below is a list of information lives in Northfield, Ohio
with her husband, three
of need vs. want. Choosing to say yes to a for three of our county agencies. I have had children and family dog.
purchase that brings her happiness gives me contact with each one and they all expressed In addition to writing, her
an opportunity to demonstrate generosity gratitude for any help that we can provide. hobbies include gardening,
and also display my understanding of her as Will you join me and my daughter in paying cooking and reading. You can visit Debbie at www.
a person and the things she enjoys. Besides, it forward as our children go back to school? debashley.com. She would love to hear from you
www.ohiofamilymagazine.com August 2013 • OFM 21