FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Second Saturday" highlights summertime needs

Chillicothe, OH (May 7, 2008)Along with meeting year-round needs for local agencies, “Second Saturday” this weekend is collecting items to supplement summer recreation programs for children. The monthly community outreach, co-sponsored by United Way of Ross County and James 218, a ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church, seeks donations to meet both special and routine needs of local human service agencies and their clients.

Donations will be accepted Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the downtown drive-thru & drop-off collection site in the parking lot beside 30 East Main Street, just west of the Horizon buildings.

When school’s out, most kids are looking forward to summer days at the pool or lake, but not all have the basic needs for fun in the sun and water, according to Karen McDonald-Myers, executive director, South Central Ohio Big Brothers/Big Sisters. While her agency can provide free pool passes and occasional trips to area lakes for the children they serve, they need kids’ swimwear and sunscreen.  “Sunscreen is an absolute necessity for children who spend a day in the sun. But for our single parents with limited resources, it’s a luxury they simply cannot afford,” McDonald-Myers said. “Frankly,” she noted, “the cost of sunscreen is about the same as a gallon of milk
and a loaf of bread which are obvious priorities.”

Other local agencies are asking for hygiene products, cleaning supplies, items for children’s programs, and yard sale leftovers. Specifically, the needs are:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters: Kids’ swimwear – all sizes - and sunscreen; hygiene products, especially shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant.
• Homeless Shelter for Men: Men’s deodorant, bath tissue, laundry detergent, Pine-Sol or similar cleaners.
• Interagency Child Care: Diapers, children’s art and craft supplies; gently used toys.
• Salvation Army: Kid-friendly juices and snacks, such as fruit rollups, cookies, crackers, pretzels, cereal, for latchkey program; coffee for homeless day shelter.
• Goodwill Industries: Household items, such as dishes, flatware, kitchenware, small appliances, gently used clothing, toys, books, furniture; yard sale leftovers.