Program Sends Kids Back To School With Needed Supplies

Nearly a thousand underprivileged youths in the Inland Northwest will go back to school this fall with new paper, pencils and school supplies because of generous citizens participating in the “Kids Helping Kids Back to School” campaign.

In its fourth year, the campaign is sponsored by Camp Fire Inland Empire Council with support from KHQ-TV, Channel 6.

“The need is overwhelming this year and more agencies are still asking to be included,” said Dee Cerutti, a Camp Fire spokeswoman.

Last week, collection barrels were placed at the entrances of various stores in Spokane and Cheney, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Moscow and Potlatch, Idaho. Shoppers purchasing school supplies bought a few extras - rulers, binders, backpacks, crayons, markers - for kids who can’t afford them. Items will be distributed through area service organizations.

If you missed the in-store campaign, it’s not too late to help. Camp Fire is accepting cash donations and school supplies through Aug. 28. Mail contributions to: Inland Empire Council of Camp Fire, 154 S. Stevens, Spokane, WA 99201; or drop them off at the Camp Fire office. For more information, call 747-6191.

Square dance festival

Kick up your heels next weekend at the Square Dance Festival and Salmon Barbecue at Sullivan Park, 1901 N. Sullivan.

In its 42nd year, the event is sponsored by the Western Dance Association of Spokane and draws dancers from around the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

This year’s caller is Jerry Jestin from Yuma, Ariz., and round dance leaders are Debbie and Paul Taylor from Everett.

Festivities are open to the public from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; all day Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for Sunday’s barbecue, noon to 4 p.m., are $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for children 12 and under.

For more information, call 328-5654.

Parenting workshop

Learn how to work effectively with behaviorally challenging children during a two-day workshop in Spokane sponsored by Alpine Boys Ranch and Family Services of Leavenworth.

“Setting Effective Limits for Youth” will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3, at Berean Bible Church, 10910 E. Boone.

The workshop will discuss practical, creative and time-tested methods for teaching acceptable and appropriate behavior to children of all ages. Parents, foster parents, teachers and youth workers will learn how to set effective consequences and balance compassion with consistency.

Cost is $25 per person, $35 per couple. To register, call (509) 763-3161.

Literacy volunteers needed

Spokane’s RSVP Reading Corps, a program of YMCA of the Inland Northwest, needs senior citizens to teach reading skills to grade school children beginning this fall. Volunteers are given formal training in September to work three or four hours a week in libraries, schools and childcare centers.

And, a lunch-buddy program is looking for seniors willing to spend one lunch hour a week with a child for tutoring and friendship.

For more information, call RSVP, 838-3577, ext. 57.

RSVP of North Idaho, a program of Aging and Adult Services, is looking for senior volunteers to teach youngsters to read in various elementary schools through North Idaho Reads program. The commitment is three to four hours a week; training is provided. For more information, call (800) 786-5536, ext 35.

Seniors

If you are a low-income senior citizen who wants to work, the Senior Employment Program may have a job for you.

Administered through the American Association of Retired Persons, the Senior Employment program specializes in jobs for people 55 and older who have experience, maturity and dependability. There is no fee for the service.

Interested? Call 624-4232.