The Salvation Army Back-to-School program starts Aug. 1

The Salvation Army serving McHenry County provides free school supplies and backpacks to qualified families in need of assistance through sponsorships from the community

The first day of school is supposed to be enjoyable and exciting, but it can be devastating for a child to face his teacher and classmates without the required equipment.

The Salvation Army Back-to-School program provides free school supplies and backpacks to families in need of assistance.

Captain Carol Lewis, commanding officer of The Salvation Army of McHenry County, states, "As a mother, I know the importance of my child being prepared to enter school with the proper tools for success. Something as simple as a pencil, pen, paper or backpack can make the difference in whether a child has the confidence to succeed or not. It is a priority within The Salvation Army to help children succeed in school and in life."

• Families in Need: The Salvation Army of McHenry County Back to School Program provides backpacks, filled with required supplies to prepare children in grades K-12 for the start of school. Applications for families in need of assistance can be made through The Salvation Army located in Crystal Lake at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave, or at Service Extension locations throughout McHenry County during the week of Aug. 1-5. Bring the following information to qualify: pay stub, child support statements and social security information for each qualifying child in the household.

• Sponsorships and donations appreciated: The community is being asked to help make an impact on the lives of children throughout McHenry County through sponsorship. Different levels of sponsorship are available including $75 for five children to $450 for 30 children. Individual sponsorships include $15 per child. Donations of school supplies are also appreciated including rulers, spiral notebooks, erasers, blunt and pointed scissors, pens (red), composition books, 2-pocket folders, markers, glue sticks, mechanical pencils and highlighters.

Cash donations and school supplies are being accepted at The Salvation Army of McHenry County, 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or online at www.salarmycl.org.

For more information, call The Salvation Army of McHenry County at (815) 455-2769.