School Supply Donations Needed for County Program

The office of Suffolk County Legis. Kara Hahn, D-Port Jefferson, will be a drop-off site for donations of school supplies for the county's sixth annual "Backpack Pirates" program.

The program collects school supplies for kids in homeless shelters, parish outreach centers, and other programs so that difficult circumstances don't take a toll on their capacity for academic achievement, Hahn said in a statement.

"Many of these children face tremendous stress in their personal lives due to economic circumstances, but this drive should help alleviate some of the anxiety caused by not being properly prepared for school," she said.

The county's "Backpack Pirates" program will invite children to Fire Island for a day of exploration and fun before sending them off with a backpack full of new supplies for the school year.

Among the items needed:

• 3x5 index cards
• Rulers
• Folders with pockets
• Colored markers
• Black markers
• Wide washable markers
• Dry erase markers
• Colored Pencils
• Crayons
• 4 oz school glue
• Glue sticks
• Baby wipes
• Large t-shirts for use as smocks
• Scientific calculators
• Tissues
• Loose leaf paper
• Notebooks
• Black music folders
• Pencil cases
• Pencils
• Pencil sharpeners
• Children's scissors
• Pens
• Erasers
• Ring binders
• Plastic shoe boxes

Donations can be brought to Hahn's office at 306 Main Street in Port Jefferson between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 8.