Crayons for Kids collects school supplies

The 11th Crayons for Kids school supply drive collected more than 42,000 packages of supplies for children in the Fox Valley area.

More than 100 volunteers from Rosary High School and Marmion Academy, including students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni, collected supplies at 10 area Jewel-Osco stores over two weekends in July and August.

The collection benefits more than 90 schools and agencies in the Fox Valley/Naperville area, covering 16 communities in four counties.

The Crayons for Kids project is organized by Monica Zimmerman (Rosary, class of 2016), and was started by her brother Brian Zimmerman (Marmion, class of 2007). Their parents are Steve and Julie Zimmerman of Batavia.

Monica was honored for her volunteer service in 2015 with a certificate of excellence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and with a President's Volunteer Service Award granted by the program on behalf of President Obama.

These awards recognize young people across America for outstanding volunteer service.

"It's important to provide school supplies to those who don't have them so all children have an equal opportunity to learn," Monica said. "With the many volunteers from Rosary and Marmion, the focus is on kids helping kids; our students working to directly benefit the community."

Monica recruits and schedules volunteers from both high schools, tracks data, sorts, packs and delivers supplies, and helps schedule participation by Jewel-Osco and other stores.

Rosary High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school for young women located at 901 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora, and sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. For more information about Rosary High School, visit www.rosaryhs.com.