Shopping for back-to-school can sometimes feel like a chore. Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center is looking to make returning to school one less thing to worry about.
From now until July 10, members of Harmony Home are asking the public to help them Pack the Backpack, an annual fundraiser asking West Texans to donate school supplies to lessen the burden on the children and families they are assisting.
Harmony Home is a non-profit agency that began in 1993 and is devoted to helping children who have been the victims of sexual and physical abuse. On average, the center helps more than 600 children each year.
Community Education Director Amanda Allen said items are divided between priorities. Items such as binders, composition books and folders are currently listed as high priority while backpacks and rulers are a lower priority.
The goal, Allen added, is to collect enough supplies to fill 200 backpacks. The items will be given to the children and their families at a private event before school starts.
“We have a big sponsor who got 200 backpacks for us, so backpacks and rulers are on the low priority,” she said. “If people still want to donate those items, they’re welcome to do so … but there are some things we need more than others.”
Residents who wish to donate to the fundraiser can be delivered to the center’s location at 910 S. Grant Ave., monetary donations can be made online, or items can be purchased online through a registry through Walmart.
“We know when the brain is in survival mode and the whole family is in survival mode, it’s difficult to think past that moment,” Allen said. “Sometimes, if you can have someone extend a helping hand, it makes a tremendous difference.”
Since 2013, the organization has provided community awareness and prevention throughout the Permian Basin by providing evidence-based training to adults on how to react, respond and report sexual child abuse.
In 2019, the organization started its 360 degree approach in prevention by entering classrooms and helping elementary-aged students know the importance of spotting red flags and talking to safe adults.
Allen said teachers have also been the biggest help in spotting and reporting abuse.
“We couldn’t do it without them and we appreciate them making those reports,” Allen said.
HOW TO DONATE
- Items can be purchased and delivered to Harmony Home’s office at 910 S. Grant Ave., or call their office at 432-333-5233 to arrange a pick-up. Supplies can be purchased through a registry on the Walmart website at https://tinyurl.com/33s5m4p5.
- High-priority items: one-inch, two-inch, and three-inch binders; composition books (wide and college-ruled); folders with brads; headphones; dividers; facial tissue boxes; protractors.
- Mid-priority items: Notebook paper (wide and college-ruled); highlighters; spiral notebooks; pencils and pens; scissors; glue (sticks and bottles); index cards; and crayons and colored pencils.
- Low-priority items: backpacks and rulers.
