Creighton is partnering with the Salvation Army and other area colleges to collect school supplies for local children who are in need.
This rally to collect school supplies for disadvantaged children is part of the “KETV 7 Can Help Kids Back to School Backpack Campaign,” which will officially run April 1-30.
Celeste Hubbard — who served on the staff service subcommittee of the staff advisory council at the time this campaign was conceived — emphasized that so many of us can remember our own excitement of having new backpacks and school supplies as we anticipated the beginning of school each fall.
According to Susan Eustice, divisional director of public relations and communications at the Salvation Army, this campaign provides tools for success and provides children who don’t have as much as other children with the opportunity to start school on a level playing field as other children.
Several children use their older siblings school supplies, which aren’t necessarily in the best shape. As a result, some of these children struggle with self-esteem issues, Eustice said.
“We hope that this [campaign] would help some of those self-esteem issues go away,” Eustice said.
In addition to helping children gain confidence, this campaign alleviates parents of the financial burden associated with back-to-school. Sharalyn Steenson, chair for the staff advisory council’s service subcommittee, said that there are many families in the Omaha metro area that cannot afford to supply their children with school supplies. However, because of this campaign, parents no longer have to worry about how they are going to pay for their children’s school supplies.
122,000 children have been assisted since this program began in 1998, according to Eustice.
The Creighton community, which is part of the larger Omaha community, is encouraged to get involved with this campaign. With the help of the Creighton community, more children can be assisted, and this campaign can continue to grow.
“It is such a great way for members of the Creighton community to make a difference right here in our own city! It is a wonderful way to give back, and the children and families are so appreciative,” Steenson said.
It builds comradery between the schools participating — Creighton University, UNO, UNMC, Bellevue University, and College of Saint Mary — Eustice added. The schools participating come together for one purpose: To make sure the drive is successful.
“Members of the Creighton community can help by making monetary donations to any Staff Advisory Council Representative,” Steenson said. “We will then use the money collected to purchase erasers in bulk at a discounted price.”
A list of SAC members can be found at: www.creighton.edu/sac/sacmembers/index.php. There will also be collection sites all over campus — just look for the little red kettles.
Last year, even through Creighton and UNO made their goal of 5,000 erasers/rulers each, the Salvation Army ran out of supplies, Steenson said. There were still children in need who did not receive supplies.
“This year, we would like to challenge Creighton to increase their goal, and if we collect significantly more money we will be able to purchase additional items for the campaign, such as loose leaf paper and glue,” Steenson said.
Another way Creighton students can support this campaign is to attend a media event at the Kroc Center on April 17 at 1:30 p.m. This media event is kind of like a big pep rally.
“This [media event] is done mid collection, and is meant to bring notice to the school’s efforts and give energy to the drive,” Eustice said, “I would love for students to come!”
For any questions or additional information, contact Sharalyn Steenson at [email protected]