Ice Cream Social Helps Students in Need

For most children, the beginning of a new school year means new clothes, new shoes, or a new backpack filled with fresh supplies. But for many other disadvantaged kids in District 200, it means beginning the school year without the necessary items most of us take for granted.

Nearly 25 percent of students in District 200 receive a free or reduced lunch and their families often find it difficult to provide a backpack and school supplies for their children.
 
The and Community Unit School District 200 will host a Back to School from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 at in Wheaton.
 
For the past three weeks, the Chamber, District 200 and many other local businesses have been accepting donations of new school supplies. Donations will be accepted (and encouraged) at the ice cream social. Cash donations are accepted and should made payable to the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will use cash donations to purchase school supplies through Office Depot at a discounted rate.
 
While the Ice Cream Social is an opportunity to collect additional backpacks and school supplies, it is also a time for families to come and have some end of summer fun. In addition to serving ice cream, Chick-fil-et will host games for kids, State Farm Insurance will make balloon animals, and volunteers will paint faces and more.
 
The event is open to all families and community members. Backpacks will not be given away at the Ice Cream Social. Rather, backpacks and school supplies will be distributed through the District’s social work department. If you are a District 200 family in need of school supplies, please contact your school’s social worker.

List of Participating Businesses:

Adelle’s Fine American Fare
Cantigny Park
Cardnial Fitness - Wheaton
Clarice’s Creating Beautiful Looks
Coldwell Banker - Wheaton
Community Bank Wheaton/Glen Ellyn
Crystal Earth Rock Shop
Edward Jones - Wheaton
Fox Bowl
Genghis Grill - Wheaton
Holiday Inn & Suites - Carol Stream
Kumon Math and Reading Center
Providence Bank - Wheaton
Rathje Woodward LLC
RE/MAX Suburban
Studio Movie Grill
The Hearing Doctors - Wheaton
Walgreens - Wheaton
Wheaton City Hall
Wheaton Park District Community Center
Yogli Mogli - Wheaton

Courtesy of a press release from District 200