Community Corner

Citizens Bank's 'Gear For Grades' Helps Students in Need

The public may donate new pencils, folders, glue, notebooks and other school supplies at any branch in Connecticut through mid-August.

 

To help children go back to school with the supplies they need to learn, is offering Gear for Grades. All are invited to donate new pencils, folders, glue, notebooks and other school supplies at any Citizens Bank branch in Connecticut through Aug. 10.

This year’s Gear for Grades program is in partnership with the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents and the Urban League of Greater Hartford.

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Citizens Bank will also be accepting donations at a number of special events and activities planned throughout the state. Drives will be held at the New Britain Rock Cats stadium on Aug. 14 to 16. All those who bring a school supply to the stadium on those evenings will receive a free ticket voucher to a future game. Donations collected in branches and at these special events will be provided to foster families and children throughout the state.

“Gear for Grades ensures that local children have a new backpack filled with notebooks, pencils and pens so they are ready for a successful and productive year of learning,” said Ned Handy, President, Citizens Bank, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

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“Every child deserves the excitement of returning to school with new supplies and knowing that people care about their future. We thank our customers and the public in advance for supporting the Gear for Grades program.”

According to a National Retail Federation survey, the average American family spent $603 in 2011 on back-to-school expenses. For low-income, at-risk or homeless families, the cost of even basic school supplies can be a burden. The supplies most in need include child-safe scissors, pencils, pens, erasers, pocket folders, spiral notebooks, crayons, washable markers, rulers, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencil boxes and index cards.

Donations can be dropped off:

  • 61 Shunpike Road, Cromwell
  • 141 Main Street, Deep River
  • 376 Main Street, Durham 
  • 8 East High Street, East Hampton 
  • 6 Killingworth Road, Higganum
  • 225 Main Street, Middletown 

 

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