With the 2025-26 school year to start August 25th for the Greene County and Paton-Churdan School Districts, an annual fundraising drive is underway to help those less fortunate families.

Greene County New Opportunities Coordinator Teresa Lansman says anyone can make donations to the Back to School Supply Drive until August 15th. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that 225 youth were served last year and school-related items are needed again this year because costs continue to rise and this can be an additional burden on their families and so this is one way to help provide some relief.

Accepted items include pencils and colored pencils, pens, markers, dry-erase markers, highlighters, erases, both large size and pencil toppers; glue stocks, pencil boxes or pouches, wide-line spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, three-ring binders, folders, ear buds, headphones, tissues, disinfectant wipes and backpacks. Lansman directs anyone wishing to donate these items to drop them off at her office, at 1401 North Elm Street in Jefferson, or at Jefferson Telecom. She states that monetary donations can also be accepted, with any checks made out to New Opportunities.