by Christina Chapman
Morris Daily Herald
August 2, 2011


If it weren’t for the Grundy County Back to School Fair, Elizabeth Ames of East Brooklyn may not have known her son Sammy needed glasses until it was too late and his grades suffered.

“It was wonderful. It’s a tremendous, very big help to us. We found out he needs glasses. This is a good thing because they don’t test eyes at school anymore,” said Ames, who attended the back-to-school fair with her 13-year-old son.

Ames’ son was among the 487 kids who benefited from the second annual Grundy County Back to School Fair Saturday, July 31.

The fair, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Grundy County, United Way of Grundy County, We Care of Grundy County and Operation St. Nick, provides free services such as vaccinations; physical, dental and eye exams; school supplies; and resources for low-income families so they are prepared for school.

“This is an enormous help because it all adds up so much and we’re so grateful people thought to help. It really helps a lot with two boys and how they grow so fast. Every year they need more and more and we appreciate it so much from everyone. Now I can concentrate on buying clothes. It takes a big worry off,” Ames said.

In total, about 94 immunizations, 113 dental cleanings and screenings, 128 vision screenings and 94 physicals were provided. Illinois Central Bus Company and the Grundy Transit System provided transportation for families who could not get themselves to the fair and the First Christian Church provided its facility for free, said Sherey Zerbian, program director for the Community Foundation.

Operation St. Nick provided Walmart vouchers for supplies and clothing to 422 children. For those who did not qualify for Operation St. Nick’s program, families received school supplies from We Care at the fair from donations gathered during  its “Stuff the Bus” school supplies drive July 9 and from companies who had drives, said Executive Director Denise Gaska. We Care had about $5,000 worth of school supplies on hand.

About 64 children received supplies from We Care and any remaining supplies are available at We Care. Families have to qualify. For more information, call We Care at (815) 942-6389.

In addition to the supplies and services, students went home with toothbrushes, free books from the Morris and La Salle Kiwanis Clubs, and much more through the local agency expo.

The expo was the most helpful for Valerie Jones of Braceville and her two children.

“Oh my God there are services I didn’t even know where to go for,” Jones said. She was particularly excited to get her son signed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters, since she is a single mother and knows her son could use a male figure in his life.

Jones said her children qualified for the Operation St. Nick vouchers — a lifesaver for her family.

“They’re always such a big help. I’m sure they know they help people, but I don’t think they know how big of a help they are,” she said.

Dr. George Roebuck has volunteered for both years of the fair doing eye exams. After seeing 126 kids last year, 56 percent of whom needed glasses, Roebuck said he had to come back.

“They couldn’t see well enough to see the blackboard at school and that is going to have a horrible affect on their schooling,” he said. Through the fair he is able to inform families his office offers public aide glasses for those who qualify, and can make sure the kids get the glasses they need to be successful.

This is the second year for the fair, but the first for United Way Director Karen Nall and assistant director Kelly Bols. United Way organized the fair with the Community Foundation.

“It’s a great opportunity to reach out to the kids in the community and we’re very grateful for the outpouring of volunteers,” Nall said

About 70 people from local organizations and businesses volunteered. They had so many that they had to turn some away.

The parents of the almost 500 kids that benefited from the fair have a sense of relief from the assistance provided, but the kids were the fun ones to watch, Bols said.

“I’m amazed at the amount of kids that come through who are so excited. This is getting them ready for school. They’re enjoying it. There are so many resources at their fingertips,” she said.

For more information to get signed up to attend next years fair as a recipient, volunteer or donor, call the Community Foundation at (815) 941-0852.