School Supplies

Schools usually ask for donations of school supplies, but one Fort Wayne elementary school needs more than books and markers.

Indian Village Elementary School has many students who come from poverty; 75 percent of the 428 students have a free or reduced lunch. Sometimes other needs get in the way of the students' learning, and teachers at Indian Village try to fill in the gaps.

"They need warm clothing, mittens, warm socks if they get wet at the bus stop," Principal Stephany Bourne said. "[Some] don't have a book bag or coat or $3.50 to go to the zoo. We try to help with the little things."

Now the Anthony Wayne Rotary Club is also stepping in to help. Rotarian Larry McChessney dropped off dictionaries at the school in early October for the Rotary Club's project of giving dictionaries to every 3rd grader in Fort Wayne Community Schools. But, while he was at the school, McChessney discovered another need.

"We started talking about all the critical needs of urban children beyond the three 'R's," Bourne said. "Now the Anthony Wayne Rotary Club is stepping in and looking at the children in need saying we can fix some of this."

At its joint meeting with the Downtown Rotary Club, the group collected $2,029.75 for Indian Village.

Rest of the story via Wane.com Click to Open Web Page