The Kiwanis Club of Northeastern Ontario and Staples Canada donated $3,300 worth of school supplies to three local charities this morning.
The presentation took place at 11 a.m. at the Staples store on Algonquin Avenue, with Ralph Celentano of the Kiwanis Club and Staples’ store manager Pat Lynch doling out school supplies by the cartload.
Representatives from One Kids Place Children’s Treatment Centre, Children’s Aid Society of Nipissing and Parry Sound District and Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca were all on hand to receive a share of the supplies.
Funds were raised from Staples customers, who generously donated to the initiative as they completed their purchases at the register.
The initiative occurred at various Staples locations, with all funds remaining local and donated to various charities.
On top of the donated school supplies—which included everything from backpacks and pencils to art supplies—Celentano and Lynch announced the Kiwanis-Staples Canada $5,000 Scholarship, which will be made available to area high school students beginning next year.
“We have quite a few youths who attend our youth hub,” explained Gisele Hebert, the executive director of the Children’s Aid Society. “So, this is always welcome within the organization, and we really appreciate the donation.”
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
