Lion’s Club saves DVH school supply drive

Desert View Hospital Marketing Director Meagan Kowalski stared at the empty boxes inside the lobby of the hospital with great concern last week.

Each year, the hospital sponsors a school supply drive for local families whose financial resources are stretched thin.

But Desert View’s efforts to entice people to drop off school supply donations was more than a challenge — until this week.

Kowalski was counting on the generosity of the community to acquire as many supplies as she can for the 2014-15 school year.

This week, however, Kowalski had reason to celebrate as a local organization stepped up to assist in the drive.

Pahrump Lions Club members Joyce Campbell and Bill Newyear on Monday arrived at the hospital bearing gifts.

Both unloaded nine boxes full of school supplies for the upcoming school year.

Newyear said the timing was perfect as he has had the supplies stored in his garage for the better part of a year.

“A fellow Lion in Las Vegas gave us all these supplies awhile back. Locally we have our annual Christmas drive and we knew the hospital did the school supply drive and we thought that this would be a good time to donate these supplies because they’ve been sitting in my garage for the past six months. Besides, what kid wants school supplies for Christmas?” he said.

Kolwalski noted that the supplies could not have come at a better time as the fall school semester begins earlier this year.

“I think some people are kind of thrown off this year because school just recently ended and here we are talking about this already,” she said.

Supplies are still needed for all grade levels.

Aside from writing instruments and wide-ruled notebooks, elementary school students often use materials for arts and crafts including glue sticks, round-tipped scissors, crayons and even a package of Kleenex.

Middle and high school students routinely use college-ruled notebooks, pocket folders, protractors and compasses.

Desert View CEO, Kelly Adams said the Lions Club’s generous donation exemplifies how a small community can come together to benefit those who are less fortunate.

“The Lions have really stepped up and made great use of an opportunity for something that’s important to the children of this community. Budgets seem to get tighter and tighter every year and we’re delighted that Desert View can help to coordinate this through the Lions who deserve the credit,” he said.

Kowalski, meanwhile, recalled last year when Desert View officials actually purchased some of the requested items that fell short during the supply drive.

“We didn’t collect enough scissors last year so many of our employees actually donated money and we bought a ton of scissors,” she said.

The marketing director also said Desert View just wants to do what they can for the benefit of local students, while at the same time urge other businesses to try and do the same.

“We’re not necessarily looking to provide all of the supplies a child needs, but we’re trying to help them get started. If we have any supplies left over, I take those and give them to Valley Electric’s Fill the Bucket school supply drive. Last year we were able to provide supplies to over 400 children,” she said.

Officials at Valley Electric Association are also preparing to host the eighth annual Fill the Bucket school supply drive at several locations around the community on Aug. 2.

On its website, VEA encourages community members to donate items during the annual event within VEA’s service area.

VEA employees and ambassadors will be stationed at multiple locations in Pahrump from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 2, to accept donations of school supplies and cash according to co-op’s website.