Kids' Kloset conducts annual back-to-school supplies drive

SMOKEY POINT — Kids' Kloset of Arlington has set up donation sites for its back-to-school drive at four locations in the Smokey Point and downtown Arlington area, in order to drum up donations of backpacks and other school supplies for children ranging from preschool through high school, who attend schools in the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington school districts, and who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches.

Kids' Kloset Co-Director Linda Dussault noted that Kids' Kloset helped more than 900 children get ready for the start of the 2008-2009 school year, as she listed the items that Kids' Kloset is most in need of for the 2009-2010 school year.

"We're looking for backpacks for older teens, as well as large book bags," Dussault said. "We could also use more elementary school scissors, college and wide-ruled filler paper, regular and colored pencils, small pencil sharpeners, red, black and blue pens, and colored markers. We also need what I used to call Pee Chees," she laughed, "those packs of folders."

New backpacks and school supplies, as well as money to purchase those items, may be donated at the following locations:

- Dr. Keith Leonard's office, at 17432 Smokey Point Blvd. in Smokey Point.

- Julie's Barber and Styling, at 413 N Olympic Ave. in Arlington.

- Frontier Bank, at 525 N Olympic Ave. in Arlington.

- Kids' Kloset, at 135 S French Ave. in Arlington.

Kids' Kloset will distribute the backpacks and school supplies before the start of the school year to those children who qualify for them.

In the meantime, the home of John and Kimberly Meno will once again host Kids' Kloset's annual Taste of Washington fundraiser and auction, taking place this year Aug. 29 from 6-9 p.m. at 20217 Old Burn Rd. Attendees should RSVP by Aug. 18 at 360-435-4875, which is also the number that people can call for more information on Kids' Kloset.

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.