Lexington Herald Leader Logo

Ky. voices: Lexington rallies with school backpacks for families in need | Lexington Herald Leader

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • All News
    • Business
    • Communities
    • Counties
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Lexington
    • Local
    • Most Wanted
    • Nation/World
    • News Photos
    • News Videos
    • Politics
    • Searchable Databases
    • State
    • Watchdog
    • Columns
    • Tom Eblen
    • All Sports
    • UK Sports
    • College Sports
    • Next Cats Recruiting
    • High School
    • Horses
    • Kentucky Speedway
    • Lexington Legends
    • Reds
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NASCAR
    • NFL
    • Sports Photos
    • Sports Videos
    • Columns
    • John Clay's Columns
    • Mark Story
    • Next Cats Recruiting
    • All UK Sports
    • Next Cats Recruiting
    • Baseball
    • Basketball - Men
    • Basketball - Women
    • Recruiting
    • Ex-Cats
    • Football
    • UK Photos
    • UK Videos
    • More UK Sports
    • Columns
    • John Clay's Blog
    • Mark Story
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • All Entertainment
    • Books
    • Celebrities
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Events Calendar
    • Horoscopes
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Restaurants
    • Stage & Dance
    • TV
    • Visual Arts
    • Entertainment Photos
    • Entertainment Videos
    • News Blogs
    • Kentucky Weather
    • Photo Archive
    • Sports Blogs
    • John Clay's Blog
    • High School
    • UK Football
    • UK Men's Basketball
    • UK Women's Basketball
    • Lexington Legends
    • Entertainment Blogs
    • Walter Tunis on Music
    • All Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Joel Pett
    • Letters to the Editor
    • National Columnists
    • Op-Ed
    • Submit a Letter
    • All Living
    • Celebrations
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Fru-Gal: Deb Morris
    • Health & Medicine
    • Home & Garden
    • Paul Prather
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Readers' Choice
    • Kentucky Obituaries
    • Obituaries in the News
    • Submit an Obituary
    • Customer Service
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • E-edition
    • Page Reprints
    • Photo Reprints
    • RSS Feeds
    • Special Sections
    • Site Information
    • Advertise With Us
    • Archives
    • Mobile
    • Mobile Apps & eReaders
    • Newsletters
    • Social
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Google+
    • Today's Circulars
    • Classifieds
    • Jobs
    • Cars
    • Homes
    • Homeseller
    • Legal Notices
  • Place an Ad
  • Mobile & Apps

Op-Ed

Ky. voices: Lexington rallies with school backpacks for families in need

By David Martorano

    ORDER REPRINT →

July 31, 2013 12:00 AM

This Saturday more than 100 volunteers from the YMCA and other community organizations will distribute 8,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to deserving kids as part of the YMCA's Back to School Rallies.

This is a community-wide effort that is important for many reasons.

First, by giving low income students school supplies for the year, we are giving them the basic tools to succeed in school. Nearly 31 million kids live in low-income families in the United States. Two out of five children live in families that struggle to provide the basics. Research shows that kids who do not have the basics, such as school supplies, not only struggle in school but struggle to stay in school.

Imagine how frustrating it would be to try to do your homework without the paper, pencils and other basics needed to complete the assignment. As a parent, it would be equally frustrating trying to find the money to buy these supplies. For some families, these are very real and very hard choices: School supplies or paying bills?

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to the Lexington Herald-Leader

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

Second, while the Back To School Rallies are led by the Y, they have become community-wide projects. More than 18 local organizations, including churches and community centers, have become an integral part of getting these backpacks and supplies to those who need them most. They help with the coordination, promotion and distribution of supplies. Without them, this project would be nearly impossible to pull together.

I moved to Lexington eight months ago. I've worked for YMCAs all over the United States in cities big and small, which gives me some perspective on what makes for a great community. One of those hallmarks is the emphasis a town or city places on education. I can tell you, Lexington is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. And, I believe, with our Back To School Rallies, we're telling our kids that education is important, that we want you to succeed and that as a community we will help you find that success.

We'd like to acknowledge some of the entities that have helped make our Back To School Rallies possible. Kits for Kidz is the program's presenting sponsor and has been integral in securing the school supplies while Kentucky Utilities has once again generously provided the backpacks. I'd also like to acknowledge Superintendent Tom Shelton and the staff of the Fayette County Public Schools. Shelton's commitment to providing a quality education for the kids of Fayette County is evident in everything he does and we're fortunate to have such a strong educational leader for this community.

If you or someone you know would benefit from receiving a backpack at one of our Back To School rallies, visit www.ymcaofcentralky.org for locations and times.

  Comments  

Videos

Photo slideshow: Covington Catholic defeats Madison Central 57-45

What is the key to PJ Washington’s hook shot?

View More Video

Trending Stories

Teen brothers killed in accident on Harrodsburg Road

February 17, 2019 10:52 AM

UK student got a chance to win $19,000 with a half-court shot. He nailed it.

February 16, 2019 12:41 PM

Here’s what John Calipari had to say after Kentucky’s blowout of No. 1 Tennessee

February 16, 2019 11:47 PM

Even Tennessee’s players agreed: ‘Kentucky was totally kicking our butt.’

February 17, 2019 01:07 AM

‘That’s crazy.’ Herro’s rebounding performance stuns Kentucky teammate.

February 17, 2019 01:57 AM

Read Next

Kentucky cannot afford a new generation of nicotine addicts

Op-Ed

Kentucky cannot afford a new generation of nicotine addicts

By Ben Chandler

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 15, 2019 08:07 PM

Kentucky’s legislature should mandate smoke-free schools, a crucial step in reducing adolescent and teen tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol. Without action to stem rising youth smoking, the state will face the expense of an entirely new generation addicted to nicotine.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to the Lexington Herald-Leader

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE OP-ED

McConnell prime for the Pelosi treatment, if only Dems had the spine

Op-Ed

McConnell prime for the Pelosi treatment, if only Dems had the spine

February 15, 2019 07:55 PM
Tribalism, media prejudice ruining America

Op-Ed

Tribalism, media prejudice ruining America

February 15, 2019 04:42 PM
Shunned by Sunday school, Slemp seeks something to worship.

Op-Ed

Shunned by Sunday school, Slemp seeks something to worship.

February 15, 2019 11:01 AM
Killing solar jobs, businesses in Kentucky would not be conservative

Op-Ed

Killing solar jobs, businesses in Kentucky would not be conservative

February 14, 2019 07:51 PM
‘Not true.’ Equine vet responds to lawsuit over X-rays at Keeneland horse sales

Op-Ed

‘Not true.’ Equine vet responds to lawsuit over X-rays at Keeneland horse sales

February 14, 2019 10:42 AM
A plea from the mountains: Don’t snuff out solar energy’s economic opportunities

Op-Ed

A plea from the mountains: Don’t snuff out solar energy’s economic opportunities

February 13, 2019 07:06 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Lexington Herald Leader App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Archives
Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Place a Classified Ad
  • Local Deals
  • Digital Solutions
  • Media Kit
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story