Kiwanis Stand Down supplies 300 local students
Ashley Freese helps Hayden Caudill pick out a water bottle as he picks up school supplies along with older brother Tristin and mother Brittany during the Student Stand Down at Asa Wood Aug. 20. Freese said that her mother’s store, Libby’s Closet, was helping to raise money for the Stand Down when Ashley heard they needed help the day of, so she volunteered. (Photos by Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
William Haugen checks out the bee finger puppet he received from Angie McLaury with McLaury’s Apiaries during the Student Stand Down at Asa Wood Aug. 20. McLaury was at the Stand Down before supplies began being handed out to educate about bees and answers questions as part of a special pre-event fair. (Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
Jaden Ueland helps Ghavin Amos pick out a folder during the Student Stand Down at Asa Wood Aug. 20. Ueland — who wore a smile on his face throughout — said that his mom was volunteering with the Stand Down and he wanted to help, and was happy he did. (Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
Connie Thomson, who came to volunteer for the Student Stand Down Aug. 20, looks at a coat in the Koats for Kids room before the Stand Down gets started. Kooteani Kiwanis president Pam Peppenger said Koats for Kids gave away around 200 pieces of winter wear during the Stand Down, including 100 coats. (Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
Children and their families crowd into the gym at Asa Wood as the Student Stand Down starts off Aug. 20. (Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
Kimberly Moody paints Caedence Montgomery’s face before the Student Stand Down. (Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
The Student Stand Down supplied around 300 Lincoln County students with school supplies this year, and the Kootenai Kiwanis are already gathering donations for next year.
Kootenai Kiwanis president Pam Peppenger said that Koats for Kids — which had an early opening alongside the Stand Down on Aug. 20 — handed out over 200 pieces of winter wear, including 100 coats.
“Everything went wonderful,” Peppenger said.
Last year, the Stand Down helped to supply about 40 high schoolers. This year, they helped over 100.
For all grade levels, but especially the higher levels, supplying a student can get expensive, Peppenger said.
It’s not just pencils, pens and paper. Students need to have everything from ear buds to scientific calculators, and for families with multiple children and limited budgets, the cost climbs quickly.
That’s part of why the community outpouring of support has been so important, Peppenger said. The generosity of people donating to the Stand Down and coming to the garage sale fundraiser makes a big difference in the lives of Lincoln County students and their families.
Including family members there to assist students, she estimated that the gym at Asa Wood held as many as 400 people at times. Working one of the tables herself, Peppenger had to begin pre-assembling sets of supplies to help keep the line moving.
She admitted that as much as the volunteers enjoyed helping, they were glad to have the work behind them for this year.
Yet, even after dealing with all the organizing, preparation and chaos of the day, they are already hard at work getting ready to do it again.
Last Friday, the Kootenai Kiwanis accepted a donation of school supplies from Northern Power, and they are continuing to stock up. Peppenger said that they are still open to donation of both supplies and money for the school supply program.
Those donating can also receive a tax benefit, as the Kiwanis are a 501c3, she said.
But just because the Stand Down is finished for this year doesn’t mean the giving is, Peppenger said. If a student either missed the opportunity to get supplies or comes in the middle of the year and needs them, the Kiwanis can help them out.
More information about Kootenai Kiwanis can be found by searching “Kootenai Kiwanis” on Facebook.
Those interested in joining, donating or helping Kootenai Kiwanis can reach Peppenger at 406-334-1156.