Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House to sponsor Bookbag Giveaway

EAST ST. LOUIS – Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, in cooperation with Catholic Urban Programs, will host the 6^th Annual Bookbag Giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Family Development Center on State Street, next to the East St. Louis School District 189 offices.
 
The Back to School Event will feature all of the following at no charge:

• Bookbags and school supplies
• Medical and dental professionals providing back-to-school physicals and dental checkups
• District 189 representatives to help parents complete school registration
• Stylists offering haircuts

 
“This day has become a carnival for the East St. Louis community with games, art projects, music and a barbecue,” said Bill Kreeb, president and CEO of Lessie Bates. “It has become a fun transition time between summer and the start of the new school year.”
 
Vera Jones, LBDNH vice president of marketing and development, estimates that as many as 2,000 children might miss the first day of school because they need the basics so many take for granted.
 
“Imagine that you are a single mom in East St. Louis with children ready to start school this fall,” she said. “You know the importance of education, and you desperately want them to succeed. But money is tight, and you just can afford to buy bookbags or supplies. Because of your work schedule, you haven’t been able to register the kids for school or get the required physical or dental checkups.
 
“Fortunately, LBDNH, with the support of many generous people, will offer just what families need to get their kids ready for school success.”
 
Persons are invited to send financial donations, marked “bookbags” to: Lisa Graves, LBDNH, 1200 N. 13^th St., East St. Louis, IL  62205. Donations can also be made online at www.lessiebatesdavis.org. Volunteers are also needed for the day to do face painting and help with games and art projects. To volunteer or for more information, contact Susan Meister at 618-874-0777 or by emailing smeister@lessiebatesdavis.org
 
Last summer, East St. Louis mom Renesha Miller was so happy that her boys Abdule and Mekhi received supplies and haircuts. “It’s a blessing what they (Lessie Bates and its supporters) are doing for this community,” she said.
 
LBDNH is a United Methodist community center whose mission is to empower individuals and families to move out of poverty and to achieve self-sufficiency, and to help assure that children have the community support they need to be successful in school and in life. Through ministries at multiple locations in East St. Louis, LBDNH reaches the youngest to the oldest citizen in the community. For more information, visit www.lessiebatesdavis.org or access the main Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LBDNH.