Group sees more needy children, fewer donors than past years

Henderson non-profit seeks more sponsors for Back to School event

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 | 1:59 a.m.

For more information about Back to School, visit HopeLink's Web site or call HopeLink at 566-0576.

Sun stories about Henderson

Overwhelming requests have led organizers of an annual drive that provides school supplies for children from low-income Henderson-area families to appeal to the community for help.

Each August, the back to school event gathers backpacks, school supplies, clothing and shoes, all new, to give to almost 1,000 children from families living near or below the poverty level.

HopeLink, a Henderson-based nonprofit community organization (formerly known as HACA), has been running the program for eight years, and executive director Daniele Dreitzer said she's never seen so many requests for assistance.

Normally, families have a four-week window to register their children for the event, but this year, it was full within the first two weeks. And of the 950 children accepted thus far, only 550 have been "adopted" by local businesses and individuals.

"We were just slammed on the front end, which has never happened that fast," Dreitzer said. "The need is just huge."

This year's event is scheduled for Aug. 21, and Dreitzer said she needs to find donors for the other 400 children by Aug. 1.

Children accepted into the Back to School event receive a backpack and school supplies donated by Central Christian Church and at least one new outfit, including underwear and shoes, from an adoptive donor.

And while the need is way up, Dreitzer said, the number of donors is down, as the economy has forced some participating organizations to adopt fewer children than in the past, or in some cases, none at all.

Dreitzer said the new clothing and supplies allow the low-income children to feel more comfortable in school, perform better and get on track to break the cycle of poverty.

"We focus on this time of year as opposed to the holidays because it is so important that kids feel good about how they look when they go back to school," she said.

Also in past years, organizers collected a few extra items to give to children who didn't register but showed up the day of the event, Dreitzer said. This year, however, no one has offered to provide that service.

Central Christian Care Ministry Assistant Kelly Ervin, who oversees the church's backpack and school supplies drive, said the event is a big hit with church members, drawing about 200 volunteers each year to help collect, sort and package the donations.

"I think it's super important," Ervin said. "I can't imagine my kids going to school and not having the supplies they need."

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By rejco100

7/15/09 at 1:23 p.m.

Suggest removal

Can you believe they need non-profit status, board of directors, directors, ass.t directors, office space, warehouses, insurance, travel costs, phones, solicitation staff, accountants, website, utilities, JUST TO GIVE KIDS DONATED PENCILS & NOTEBOOKS? WHAT A FRAUD!
By rejco100

7/15/09 at 1:25 p.m.

Suggest removal

"Children accepted into the Back to School" THEY EVEN TELL KIDS THEY DO NOT QUALIFY; TOTAL POVERTY PIMP!
By CDReed

7/15/09 at 8:43 p.m.

Suggest removal

How selfish must one be to deride the generosity of others.

How callous must one be to mock the countless hours put in by this group that kids in a situation not of their own making can at least go to school with an outfit, backpack and "pencils and notebooks?"

While many of us, at best, sit on our hands or, at worst, blind our eyes to the needs of the fellow men, I'm glad there are more folks like HopeLink around than Scrooges in July like "rejco100."
By sheilacatherine

7/17/09 at 6:48 a.m.

Suggest removal

Okay Rejco100, then what is YOUR solution? Are you headed to Walmart and BigLots to pick up these items and get them into the hands of the kids who truly need them? Huh? What? Just what I thought...too busy to help but not too busy to throw stones!
By I_Love_Las_Vegas

7/17/09 at 7:02 a.m.

Suggest removal

How much does Hopelink spend on managers, office space, warehouses, insurance, travel costs, phones, solicitation staff, accountants, website, utilities, etc. when they should be helping needy kids?

Since they are "non-profit", it should be a matter of public record.

I don't think all of the donations are going to the kids.
By hopelinked

7/17/09 at 11:37 a.m.

Suggest removal

As a 501c3, HopeLink's finances are a matter of public record. The legal name of the organization is Henderson Allied Community Advocates, we do business as HopeLink. Our financial information, and the information on all non-profit organizations, can be researched for free on Guidestar.com. I would encourage anyone who is interested to review our information online. If you are interested in learning more about the many programs offered by our organization please visit our website at www.link2hope.org.