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School Supplies Could Spell Success

How to succeed in elementary school: Enroll before classes begin, ensure your immunizations are current, and arrive with all of the necessary supplies. Sounds simple enough, but for hundreds of students in District 10 it is not.

Councilmember Adam McGough, the AllinD10 Collective Impact Team and Richardson ISD together are hosting the Forest Lane Academy Back-to-School Supply Drive, and all Lake Highlands residents are encouraged to jump in and help, organizers say.

This year, collected supplies will go to children at Forest Lane Academy. Next year, the project will expand to include more Lake Highlands-area elementary campuses that claim high concentrations of students from low-income families.

Organizers say they hope to make this an annual event for years to come. The drive is part of a larger back-to-school fair set for Aug. 17 from 3-7 p.m. at Forest Lane Academy.

The goal this year is to secure supplies for 700 students, increase pre-enrollment and make vaccinations available, so students can avoid missing the first days of school.

Those who wish to help should browse needed items and register to donate a specific item on signupgenius.com (search: RISD and D10).

Groups, churches, families or individuals may drop off donations in the Forest Lane Academy gym between 9-11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7 or Tuesday, Aug. 8. Help spread the word by e-mailing photos of your group and the supplies you’ve collected to Shelby Eidson at eidson. shelby@gmail.com. Richardson schools are back in session Aug. 21.

Sale Of The Year

Lake Highlands High School’s Highlandettes bring boundless pizzaz to school functions, faraway festivals, college and pro halftime shows and local-business groundbreakings, to name a few, plus they frequently high-kick their opponents’ bloomers in competition.

But representing our neighborhood near and far with such polish and professionalism is not free, which is why the Highlandettes and their families host several fundraisers each year, the first of which is an annual, gigantic, end-ofsummer garage sale. This year, mark the calendar for a sneak presale Friday, Aug. 11 at 8 p.m., where a $5 entry fee buys first dibs.

The sale continues Saturday at 9449 Church Road, with free entry from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. It’s also an opportunity to clear out your gently yet no longer used items such as furniture, clothing and toys. For help delivering donations, contact Christina Fox Balli at cfoxballi2016@ icloud.com.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@ advocatemag.com