Back to School event plants Seeds to Success Aug. 11

Chicago, IL - Going back to school in the fall is an exciting time for students, but it can also be a struggle for families who are facing tough economic times. Buying backpacks and school supplies can be an extra burden. Local schools are also facing budget cuts so repairs and other projects are being put on the back burner.

Seeds to Succeed is a back-to-school day of community service on Saturday, August 11, 2012 in Chicago, Elgin, Aurora, Rockford and many other areas to help kick off a positive, successful school year for children in our communities. It is sponsored by the United Methodist Churches of Northern Illinois.

More than a hundred volunteers are working on making repairs, cleaning, gardening and painting at local schools and playgrounds to help make them a more inviting learning environment for students.

Backpack and school supply donation drives are being organized at more than a dozen locations across Northern Illinois. The donations will be distributed to children in need before the school year gets underway.

Anti-bullying and anti-violence workshops will also be held a various locations to give parents and children the necessary information they need to deal with bullies and help put an end to this harmful behavior.

Our goal is to plant the seeds for a positive, successful future for children in our communities.

To volunteer and for more information on times and locations, visit our website www.seedstosucceed.org or call Anne Marie Gerhardt, Dir. of Communications of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church at 847-931-0710 ext. 14.