FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Dozens of volunteers are making sure students can start school with enough supplies to last.
For Kathy Falkenthal, voluntarily breaking down boxes is much more than what it seems.
She’s volunteering to help students in need after the former cafeteria worker said she fell on hard times herself.
“I had three kids in the Fairfield schools, and I didn’t have money,” said Falkenthal.
She said she had to work two jobs for a decade to provide for her kids and now she wants to give back to other kids.
“People helped me when I needed it, so it’s my turn,” said Falkenthal.
That’s why she joined a group of more than 60 volunteers who were going through the list of donated school supplies and filling backpacks.
The backpacks are the same ones Ted McDaniel started collecting early this summer.
The donations are part of the mission for his nonprofit Dougie and Rays. It’s a group he started to combat bullying and help students in need.
“The need is always out there — it’s just how can we fulfill as much as we can,” said McDaniel.
The donations are what third grade teacher Terry Sunderman said will help in more ways than one.
“Many students come to school missing some items so a lot of times teachers give them items, but when they don’t have them, the students feel upset and discouraged, so it’s great that they can come prepared already having those items to be successful,” said Sunderman.
Volunteers filled 230 backpacks that will go to students.
“I wish I could do more,” said Falkenthal.
