Small donations make a big difference

Making a big difference in a little kid’s life can be a simple matter.

As simple as tossing a carton of crayons or a plastic ruler into your cart during your next shopping trip.

The annual Project Back to School campaign started today.

The idea is as basic as it is vital.

Residents donate school supplies — everything from pens and pencils to glue sticks — and The Salvation Army distributes the items to students before classes start Aug. 30.

Students can also sign up during the Resource Fair to receive a backpack filled with supplies. Workers will hand out 90 filled backpacks on Aug. 27 at The Salvation Army office at 2505 Broadway St.

Holli Diamond, family services coordinator for The Salvation Army in Baker, Union and Wallowa counties, distributed 96 empty backpacks during the National Night Out event Aug. 3 at Geiser-Pollman Park.

Unfortunately, but not surprising given the depressed economy, donations declined last summer, Diamond said.

We’re confident, though, that the generous people of Baker County will rectify that situation this year.

Shoppers can buy school supplies at any location, and they can donate those supplies at any of the following places in Baker City:

• The Salvation Army, 2505 Broadway St.

• Bi-Mart, 700 Campbell St.

• Rite Aid, 1217 Campbell St.

• Ryder Bros. Stationery Store, 1735 Main St.