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Care 4 Colorado School Supply Drive Aims To Make Boys & Girls Club Members Prepared

By Libby Smith

DENVER (CBS4) - As students across the Denver metro area prepare to go back to school, CBS4 and its partners at New Balance are collecting new school supplies for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Club members range in age from 6 to 18-years-old, and many of their families simply can't afford everything on their back-to-school lists.

"In Boys & Girls Club, 90 percent… it's closer to 93 percent… of our kids are in poverty. And these school supplies get more expensive every year, so being able to walk in, just like every other kid, and have the supplies is a great start to the year," said John Barry, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.

LINK: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

For many students, going to a new classroom in a new grade can be unnerving all on its own, without having to worry about having the proper supplies.

"I'm scared because I'm afraid all the people in the 5th grade will be bigger than me. And, I don't even know. I'm afraid they'll be smarter than me and more advanced. I'm just a little nervous," said Aiyanna, a 9-year-old club member.

Aiyanna told CBS4 that's she's also excited about starting the 5th grade because she's going to the same classroom her brother was once in. CBS4 is hoping to take some of the anxiety out of going back to school by making sure every club member has all the supplies they need, including backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators and lunch bags.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: School Supplies Wish List

As parents know, school supplies can be very expensive.

"Some of these supplies for some of the grades can go up to $600, it's a lot of money," Barry told CBS4.

If you don't have the time or opportunity to shop for school supplies, you can make a cash donation.

"You can always donate money, and you can specify what you want that money to be spent for," Barry explained.

Academic success is a key tenant at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Each of the clubs has an education room where members can get help with homework and practice reading.

"We're here to help the kids do their homework to get ready for the next day, the next week, the next month in school," Barry said.

Students credit the clubs with improving their grades and test scores.
Algy (credit: CBS)Algy (credit: CBS)

"Because I got people that can help me here. And it's quieter so I don't have to listen to tons of noise and be distracted," said Algy, a 5th grader at the Cope Club.

For many students getting school supplies is an important part of preparing to face the challenges of a new school year.

"Because I get to pick my own backpack, and I get to put my stuff in there and organize it the way I want it," Aiyanna told CBS4.

(credit: CBS)(credit: CBS)

The Care 4 Colorado School Supply Drive runs through Aug. 7.

Collection bins are located at:

CBS4 Studio, 1044 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203
New Balance – Cherry Creek, 156 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80206
New Balance – Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Dr. #520, Littleton, CO 80120

LINK: Care 4 Colorado School Supply Drive Online Donations

Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.

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