FAIRMONT - Before class is even out for summer, Stuff for School coordinators are working on preparing school supplies for next year's kindergartners.
Stuff for School, headed by 3M Cares but counting on community donations, provides supplies for all kindergartners in Martin County.
Working closely with each school served - both public and parochial - the group ensures the supplies are exactly what each teacher requests for his or her students.
Nearly 300 students were outfitted last year with pencils, a pencil case, a folder, a notebook, a sleeping mat, Kleenex, scissor, a glue-stick and crayons.
According to Bob Wallace, president of the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, the project costs about $3,300.
With about a decade of giving under its belt, the Stuff for School committee is looking for more community involvement in raising funds this year.
The project began when Lavonne Bowman observed a co-worker bringing pencils to William Budd. When asked about it, she was surprised to learn many students didn't have enough supplies to start the school year.
"I thought, that is not going to happen anymore," she said. "Their very first day at school, every child should have the same. It carries the message that school is important."
Stuff for School buys the supplies needed at each school from Shopko at cost, packages them and distributes them to students before their first day of school.
The program has been a success, although a good portion of the group's most recent meeting was spent dealing with an issue that left children in tears and parents flummoxed at last year's distribution - a male child was accidentally given Nexcare bandages with a "girl-themed" character.
"We are going to have to think of a way to mark the bags that are for girls," Bowman said. "I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but it is to them."
Besides that slight issue, the Stuff for School committee has been inundated with positive feedback from parents and community members who appreciate their efforts to make all students, regardless of income or social standing, feel "normal" on their first day of school.
To contribute to the project, checks can be made out to S.M.I.F. and mailed the the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce at 323 E. Blue Earth Ave., Fairmont MN 560301. All donations are tax-deductible.