Merrillville students were overjoyed to receive school supply kits also known as "HOPE Packs" from Elim Christian Services of Orland Park, Ill. Elim graciously donated 400 kits to Merrillville Intermediate School and an additional 200 kits to Pierce Middle School. Kits received were also shared with the Merrillville Elementary Schools to reach as many students as possible.
Going back to school for students can be a very exciting time and the packs allow many students to obtain fresh school supplies for the new academic year. Many classrooms received Hope Packs and were very thankful and eager to put their fresh school supplies into action! Packs include items such as moist wipes, markers, crayons, scissors, rulers, tissues, protractors, dry erase markers, colored pencils, pencils, calculators, pencil sharpeners, pencil boxes, highlighters, pens, glue sticks, erasers, notebooks and folders.
Elim's Adult Services program, which is made up of adults with disabilities, assemble the kits for distribution. Each box is packaged with care, love, and hope. Hope not only for the person who receives it but also with hope that the individual who packaged it has made a difference in the life of another. By providing our school community with school supply Hope Packs all of our students can start the year with everything they need to be successful. An added bonus is that our students see just how amazing paying it forward and community outreach can be because they experience it first-hand.
