10th annual book bag drive helps Valley families get ready for school

Joanne Guerrier of Derby and her daughter, Novela Jolie Rosa, 6, pick up a book bag and supplies from TEAM, Inc. in Derby to start the school year.
Guerrier expressed her gratitude to TEAM and the donors. "We are so thankful, you guys made it happen for me and my baby,” she said. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - For the 10th consecutive year, the Annual Book Bag and School Supply drive has been a great success. 

More than 135 book bags, and an abundance of back to school supplies, were collected. 

This drive, originally begun by the owners of Luther's Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through J Cuts, 505 Howe Ave.

Each year beginning July 1, Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, offers her shop as the main collection location for supplies such as book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper, folders, and more.  

"The outpouring kindness of the community always warms my heart," Sneider said. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how it all balances out for children in need!” 

Minuteman Press at 427B Howe Ave. donated collection posters again this year.  

For the second time this year, Bright Horizons Day Care held its own collection and dropped off donations.  

In addition, Barb’s Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia, collected again.

For a third year coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, the dental plan for HUSKY Health.  

They provided oral kits each containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and oral health education.  

The CTDHP is the dental plan for HUSKY Health and promotes good oral hygiene to more than 700,000 children and adults on the HUSKY Health plan. For the last two years, CTDHP has partnered with community agencies, primary care providers and OB/GYN offices across the 

state to share oral health kits with children and pregnant women who are HUSKY Health members. 

According to Romaniuk, “The oral health kits contain tips to keep the mouth healthy as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth to maintain a person’s general health. The beginning of the school year traditionally correlates with starting new routines and habits. This seems like the perfect opportunity to spread the oral health message of the importance of daily oral hygiene and scheduling a dental exam.”

HUSKY Health members can contact the CTDHP call center at 855- CT- DENTAL or visit www.ctdhp.com for help connecting to one of the 1900 dental providers available.  

Children receiving donations from this community drive are serviced by TEAM, Inc. and Bradley School in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center, all in Shelton; and BHcare in Ansonia.

More than 250 oral kits were given to all students who received back to school donations, as well as the Milford Department of Children & Families office. 

This information is shared from the book bag drive organizers.