September 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Feature Stories
Back to school means another year of learning, reading, writing and arithmetic, but it also means back-to-school expenses. Clothing and school supplies lay an extra burden on Appalachian families who are already struggling with daily expenses.
School is already here! And this year, CAP’s School Readiness Program was very successful! The program assists low-income families by providing new clothing, shoes, notebooks, socks, calculators, backpacks and assorted other necessities they might not otherwise be able to afford. Children from various counties receive back-to-school basics, allowing them to return to classes with added enthusiasm and encouragement.
This year, approximately 100 children in each of the five distributing counties (Rockcastle, McCreary, Clay, Jackson, and Owsley) were given backpacks full of supplies. Backpacks, clothes, and supplies, along with vouchers for any extra needed supplies, were given to students, kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12).
In total, over 500 donations of backpacks, clothes, and school supplies were given by generous people like you! Because of your support, these children will be prepared for their education, which in turn can only prepare them for a successful future.
We already contribute to CAP as well as several other organizations which help Native Americans, the homeless, and those in need of food and clothing. Our question:
We routinely gather clothing to contribute to a local homeless shelter for men, women and children. Is CAP interested in receiving this type of donation for folks in the Appalachians. Some of the clothing is new, the rest is “good as new” but is used. We are, even now, readying boxes of clothing (everything from infants’ wear tjrough adult sizes), and if you could use this type of donation, we would appreciate knowing where and to whom to send it. Thanks.
Clothing and other donations can be sent to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Dr
Lexington, KY 40509
Thank you for your support!
CAP
My children wanted ne to keep in touch so they helped me get a computer to keep in touch with them as they work at jobs where they are using computers.
They also have taught me how to use it, and helped when I’ve had troubles.
Now I try to help others since I have retired.
I do knitting and crochet projects, so what sort of things are most needed?
Anything that can help keep children warm would be appreciated: hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, etc.
My husband and I are retired teachers. Do you have a financial adoption of a child with great potential to go on to school. I would be interested in sponsoring such a child. I would like to correspond with her or him to encourage and monitor progress.Please let me know if you have such a program. Several years ago we sponsored a child through the Pearl Buck program and another through Christian Children’s Fund. Edith W. Cole, Phd
I was given an opportunity for education. I came from Altoona, Pennsylvania
Am about to send a check to be used as you see fit. Will also be sending about 25 hats for the neediest children. Has anyone tried to get Habitate for Humanity to do something for the older woman who is taking care of her daughter or the TV program,Home Makeover? I am a retired teacher having taught Kindergarten for 30 years,and children are my greatest interest. Thank you for all the work and good deeds you do every day for the people of Appalachia . Norma Lee,Ithaca,NY
Norma,
A lot of work has been done to Mimi’s home already! We’ve put a new roof on to her home, replaced all windows, replaced a front porch and all the siding. All is left is replacing her kitchen floor!
Dr. Cole,
Although it is a wonderful idea, CAP does not have a child sponsorship program at this time. However, we have several education programs for Appalachian children.
Please let us know if you would like more information on our programs or how you can become involved.
Thanks!
My son and I are wondering if you have a library project for kids and adults? We are interested in donating books in good condition to the people in your area.
Thank you,
Laura Hawkins-Smith
Menlo Park, Ca
Laura,
CAP has several early education programs for children that could benefit from donated books.
Please send any donated items to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Dr.
Lexington, KY 40509
God Bless!
I would love to help in some way. Donating books, clothes, etc. I am just not sure what is needed most at this time. It is wonderful that you are receiving so much help! Please give me some ideas of what would be most helpful at this time.
Thanks, Nora Lee
N. Charleston, SC
I have several stuffed toys and books. I am going to send them to you. Perhaps they can be used for Christmas gifts for the children. If you need more than I send please do not hesitate to contact me. Unfortunately at this time I am going through hard times and can not help with any money donations.I will keep them in my Prayers.
Helene,
Nassau County, NY
I hate to bring this up but I read something about CAP giving money to other international charities as well as to inner city programs. Is this true?
@ Mike
CAP does not give money to other charities. Donations to CAP are used for CAP programs in Appalachia.
Thanks Helene for your support and gifts! God bless you!
@ Norma,
Warm clothing is especially needed this time of year. Things like hats, mittens, scarves, blankets, etc. for children and seniors are really helpful. Thank you so much!
Do you prefer UPS or USPS? I work at a center in a wealthy area and we often find ourselves smothered with high end kids clothes that are never claimed. I think it would make these kids feel good to get fashionable yet good clothes. Can we also see more pictures of the families that are assisted by CAP? It’s really inspiring.
I too, like the idea of a child sponsorship program. As I grew up in East Tennessee during the late 40’s and 50’s, I can remember, firsthand, how such a program could be of value. The local churches and neighbors helped us when my Daddy was unable to work.
Presently my husband and I contribute to Compassion International and sponsor a child in South America. You could probably obtain information from them on how to set up such a program. It would be wonderful to sponsor a child in Appalachia where I grew up. May God richly bless you for all you are doing.
Delores
Riverside, CA
Either is fine, and the clothing will be much appreciated.
There’s some great video footage of the families CAP has assisted on our homepage @ http://www.christianapp.org, but we’ll try to get some more photos up.
Do you have a “Wish List” – things that you need and use all year long? Curiously, have you contacted Toms shoes, to see if they will donate shoes to your area before going overseas? I too can gather used clothing to ship and a few scarves, etc. But what is it you have a need for continuously?
thank you for all you do for the children.
Shelly
Silver City, NM
I too have some books and school supplies I would like to donate. Do you need these items now and if so where do I send them?
I have many books that belonged to my daughter. She loved to read! She passed away two years ago from leukemia and I would like for her books to have a needed home.
I WOULD LIKE TO IKNOW WHAT COUNTIES ARE BEING HELPED. I WAS BORN IN HARLAN COUNTY, IN 1940 IT IS SO SAD THERE, ARE YOU HELPING THEM ALSO
A friend who ran a used book store has died, leaving three 24 x 30 storage buildings & a three bay garage stacked floor to celing with books. They are all in boxes & most have been sorted. They range from text books to romance & everything in between. We are hoping that there is an organization, school or Library in this area that can use them or get them where they can do the most good.
I have books to donate, but cannot deliver them. Do you have any way to picking up two boxes of books? I live in New Jersey
Please contact me at Dovespirit17@verizon.net, if you are interested. Thank you.
Virginia
Unfortunately, at this time, CAP is unable to pick up books.
Kentucky counties with CAP programs include:
Estill, Jackson, Lee, Rockcastle, Clay, Laurel, Knox, McCreary, Whitley, Lawrence, Johnson, Martin, Floyd, Knott & Pike
Our school has textbooks that we no longer used and our Student Council was wondering if there was a way we could donate them to schools in Appalachia. Would the schools benefit from these donations? Thank you for all you do to help people in the region and for taking the time to answer this inquiry.
I am wondering if you still can use books as well. I have a lot of brand new educational workbooks for K-5 as well as some high end clothing my daughter never got to wear (some still have the tickets on them!). Would they be of use? I just want to make sure I am sending books and clothing to an organization that can truly use them. I tried donating a few things, and having poor families in the outskirts of our town take some things, but I was very disappointed that they took them and sold them on ebay! It broke my heart, as I do not want someone else charging money for things I am giving away for free – some people really need these things, and it is unfair to try and make a profit off of them – they are donations from the heart. We have a lot of stuffed animals as well – all will be in mint condition.
Thank you,
Denise
We knit mittens and hats for children, and I was wondering if these items would be of any use to you. If you could send me more informations, on where these things would go, and if you have any help with mailing.
Mittens and hats would be of great use!
Please send any donated items to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Dr.
Lexington, KY 40509
God Bless!
I am an aide in a Catholic grammar school in NJ and we are interested in collecting items to help other children. Can you give me ideas of what is of greatest need at the present time? Please also include the address where we would be able to ship the items.
Thank you.
Dear Patty,
Thank you so much! This is great! We could use some help with canned foods and school supplies. Please send to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
Please let us know if you need any more info!
God bless,
CAP
My family has contributed to the CAP for a few years now. We are interested in adopting a child from Appalachia and making the life in the difference of ONE child. Could you put me in touch with a resource?
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for your support! Unfortunately, at this time, we do not pair up one specific donor with one individual child to sponsor throughout the year. While this is a great idea and something we would love to do in the future, it would be a lot of work to coordinate for our caseworkers. Often our caseworkers are volunteers that give a year or two of their time and we are not always guaranteed to have replacements. For now, the closest program we have to something like this is our “Angels of Appalachia” program — http://www.christianapp.org/support-cap/angels-of-appalachia/ . You can check out our Angels of Appalachia brochure at http://www.christianapp.org/pdfs/angels_brochure.pdf.
Or, for direct impact on one child/family, you could sponsor a family during Christmas through the Christmas Basket Program. Check out that program here: http://www.christianapp.org/index.php?s=christmas+baskets .
I hope this helps. Thank you so much for your support!
God bless,
CAP
I have been making dresses for Africa but with all the tragedy in our own United States I would like to send them to where they are most needed in our own country. Any help with where to send them would be appreciated.
@ Anne,
Thank you Anne! This would be quite a blessing. Please send to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
God bless,
CAP
Afgahans are my specialty and I love knitting. Where can I send the finished projects? Thanks.
@ Virginia,
Thank you Virginia! Please send to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
God bless you,
CAP
My family has a large collection of children and adolescent books
We would like to donate to the Appalachia children. Will you
Accept them. Im trying to find a good cause to donate them too..
We also have books for adults.
@ John,
Yes, we would love to receive the books. Please send to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
Thank you and God bless you,
CAP
I have a several boxes full of gently used children’s books that I would like to donate to the Christian Appalachian Project, but don’t have the funds to mail them. Do you have a program which would pick up the cost of mailing these donated books. Thank you for your assistance in helping me find a solution for sending these books to you.
Nancy
I have donated “gently used” clothing, furniture, books and household items of every kind to local thrift stores and organizations to try to help meet the needs of my community. However, I have always wanted to help others in need of assistance outside of my community but still within the US. Thank you so much for the information provided. I keep a donation box in my house at all times and when it is full I will be sending it your way. Nothing feels better than knowing that you are helping someone else and that things we no longer use or can use will be appreciated. Thank you to the volunteers who work so hard to get the goods to those who need them most.
@ Nancy,
Thank you for your desire to help the people of Appalachia! I spoke with one of our program directors, and unfortunately we do not have something like this in place. He explained that he doesn’t know of any CAP programs that pay for this type of donation. Most of our donors pay for the shipping or they work with a church in their area to pay for the shipping or they will bring the donation to us. I hope this helps.
God bless,
CAP