Are you ready for school?
The question may seem premature during the dog days of July, but consider:
• Registration for Jefferson City High School seniors began Friday.
• The sales tax holiday for school supplies is Aug. 5-7.
• The first day of classes for local public schools is Aug. 18.
To outfit needy students with the items they will need to start classes, a number of organizations are collecting and distributing school supplies.
Those organization include:
• Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, which will collect school supplies during a barbecue from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. today at the church, 529 Lafayette St.
• The Redeem Project, which is collecting supplies at Calvary Baptist Church, 1436 Hough St. Call 353-4720 for information.
• The Samaritan Center, which collects supplies from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday at the center, 1310 E. McCarty St.
• The Salvation Army at 327 Jefferson St., which welcomes donations to aid children from families served through its Center of Hope.
These efforts to assist children are commendable.
Children, as the Rev. Cassandra Gould pointed out, are vulnerable and are not responsible for their socio-economic status.
The Quinn Chapel A.M.E. pastor added Christian principles also must be practiced "outside the church doors."
Salvation Army Maj. K. Kendall Matthews said: "We want to equip kids with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom."
Classroom success is the single-greatest method to propel students to rewarding adult careers and financial security.
We encourage community residents to aid these efforts to equip students with the tools necessary for academic achievement.