Contribute School Supplies For Kids

City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer is holding his second-annual school supplies drive for disadvantaged youth in Sunnyside-based district. City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer launched his second annual School Supply Drive for the 26th Council District, which includes the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, Maspeth, Sunnyside and Woodside.

Last year’s drive collected over 6,000 donated school supplies from members of the community and business owners, according to a statement from Van Bramer’s office.

For most children, Van Bramer noted, the beginning of a new school year means new clothes, new shoes and a new backpack filled with fresh supplies. But thousands of other kids across the city begin the school year without these necessary items.

With the economy still slow, according to the statement, some parents don’t have the money to buy the supplies their children need to start the school year, Van Bramer said. As a result of last year’s drive, many students at local schools were given the appropriate tools for success.

The public is asked to donate the following suggested items: new packets of pens, pencils, folders, binders, loose-leaf paper, graphing paper, notebooks, index cards, calculators, highlighters, markers, rulers, protractors, glue sticks, crayons, lunchboxes, backpacks or any other school-type products.

All supplies go directly to students in need at local schools. At the close of the drive, the supplies will be collected and delivered to local school children.

Donations can also be dropped off at Van Bramer’s District Office, located at 47-01 Queens Blvd. Suite 205 in Sunnyside, on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and the following Queens Library branches during their normal business hours:

 Broadway branch, 40-20 Broadway, Astoria;

 Court Square branch, 25-01 Jackson Ave., Long Island City;

 Long Island City branch, 37-44 21st St.

 Sunnyside branch, 43-06 Greenpoint Ave.; and

 Woodside branch, 54-22 Skillman Ave.

The drive will continue through Friday, Sept. 16.