Community center plans phone-a-thon for coats, funds

The fact that it was a banner year for Spokane Valley Community Center’s school supply drive was both good and bad news.

This year, a record 1,616 low-income children needed school supplies — 300 more than last year.

The encouraging news was that once again the community stepped forward to help struggling families.

Center Director Mollie Dalpae is turning to the community once again. Temperatures are dropping early this year and kids are standing at bus stops and walking to school without coats.

Additionally, cold weather ushers in high utility bills, as families struggle to heat their homes while putting food on the table.

The center is hoping to gather a supply of coats to address this basic need and is holding its annual phone-a-thon to raise money for emergency assistance.

Funds raised from the pledge-drive go toward helping low-income people pay for prescriptions, utility bills and to provide money for gas and bus tokens to help with transportation to work.

On Oct. 19, volunteers will phone people around the Valley and ask the community to donate money to the center. The phone-a-thon will go from 6 and 8:30 p.m. and organizers are hoping to raise $15,000.

The center continues to need backpacks and school supplies to fill ongoing needs for supplies.

It also needs coats of all sizes, including sizes for teenagers. Coats and financial donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the center, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. For list of other items needed by the center, visit www.spokanevalley communitycenter.org or call 927-1153.