YOUTH DEVELOPMENT:

Back to School rallies send kids packing with supplies for the school year

Back to school Rally in Euclid Each summer, the Y makes sure that students in northeast Ohio head back to school well-supplied with the tools they need to succeed.

The Association hosts back-to-school rallies at its branches throughout the region, relying on the generosity of donor businesses and members to provide free school supplies to students.

Donation bins are placed at all local YMCA branches and everyone is encouraged to assist in the effort.

Over the years, the rallies have employed buses for Fill the Bus events and combined the rallies with Health Fairs and parent and teen seminars. The drives often incorporate events and activities focused on supporting families in the education of their children.

In 2009, more than 1,000 bags of school supplies were distributed to students thanks to generous donations of individuals, corporations and churches.

“The YMCA understands that education is a very key factor to achieving goals and has committed resources, staff and volunteers to assist in hosting back-to-school rallies and supply drives," says Glenn Haley, CEO and president of the Greater Cleveland Y. "It is very much a community event and engages the help of many volunteers and partners to make it happen.”

Sponsors over the years have included National Safety Apparel, Wellcare, NEON, Tri-C, God’s House of Restoration Church, Frank Koenig, Verizon Wireless, Radio One, 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Clevelanders in Motion, Cleveland Public Library, Upward Bound, 4 Kids Endowment Foundation. Employment and Family Services, Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, Berea Children's Home, Euclid Lutheran Church, Our Lady of the Lake, R.A.D.'s and More, Job Corps, Kiddie City, Euclid Fire Department, Pizza Pan, SIMS, Rick Case Honda, Euclid PPG, TAPS Sport's Bar and Grill, Euclid Councilwoman Kandace Jones, and Carol and Ken Nicolai.