Back-to-School Scaries

I am thoroughly enjoying Summer! Days are long and there’s not limit to the amount of outdoor fun to be had. The kids and I have been kayaking, biking, hiking, swimming, stuffing our faces with s’mores and staying up way past out collective bed times. Lest you think I’m some kind of mythical super mom, let me confess we’ve also done our fair share of screen time... But, as we hit the last month of our Summer freedom, I’ve noticed stores are starting to stock back-to-school items... *Gulp*... I have two kiddos. My youngest will be going into second grade at Valley View, but my oldest is about to embark on arguably the most awkward time of childhood: middle school. Middle school was not exactly kind to me. Was it to anyone? Let me prove my point... Pictured above is my 6th grade class photo.

I rest my case. As a parent, I worry about a lot of things. Will my son make friends and adjust to middle school life? Will my daughter be in the same class as her best friend? Can they both stop growing overnight, requiring me to buy new shoes and pants every few months?

These are privileged concerns and while I do worry, it’s not enough to keep me up at night. I know that when September rolls around I’ll be able to take them school clothes shopping and get them both the necessary school supplies. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many families. Being a kid, and let’s face it, being a parent, is hard enough when resources are abundant. Imagine the worry if you have to choose between food on the table and the proper supplies for your children to be ready for school in the fall.

That’s why I’m so dang proud of our community for stepping up and participating in our 3rd annual Back-to-School Supply Drive! Let’s take some of the stress off of local families who are struggling to make ends meet. There is still plenty of time to grab a list and fill a bag! Come in to the store and we’ll get you all set up, or go to adopt.jerrols.com for more information. Here’s to hoping we all have a stress-free back-to-school, even if it is really awkward... You saw my picture right? Last year with your help, over 250 students received a bag of supplies, and this year we have set a goal of 500!

We appreciate the help of our partners: CASA, Eastside Vocational Services, FISH Food Bank, APOYO, HopeSource, and Kittitas Valley Healthcare for helping us put on this annual fundraiser!

Written by: Brooke Buckingham