Local school nets more than 1,300 Easter baskets for kids in need
This year’s annual Easter Basket Drive at Good Shepherd School allowed staff and children to provide more than 1,300 Easter baskets to area agencies for other children in need.
“I am ecstatic,” said organizer and PTA head Kellie McIntosh. “We got that number, despite the economy, and ecstatic was what we all felt.”
McIntosh was concerned with how donations would go this year, after last year’s successful drive.
“The economy being worse than it was last year was a concern, but we (all the worked on the drive) were just thankful that despite the economy we had generous people. There is so much genorosity out there.”
Students got donations, along with local businesses.
“The classes that collected the most donations were Rosemary Jones’ kindergarten at 220 baskets and second place was Avis Daniell’s fifth grade class who collected 216 baskets.
“They will get an ice cream party with ‘the bunny’ after we get back from Spring Break.”
McIntosh wants to thank all of the area businesses and agencies that served as drop-off locations, including Children’s Network, Dance Dimensions of SWFL, Top Notch Carpet Care, Trader Tots Consignment, Espresso to Go, Pro Files, The Ice Cream Club, Discount Pets and Victory Layne Chevrolet.
“The two that collected the most were Victory Layne Chevrolet and Top Notch Carpet Care.”
Donations were distrubited to six different agencies, including ACT (The Abused Counseling Treatment Center for Women and Children of Lee County), the Children’s Network of Lee County, local homeless shelters, hospitals and the Salvation Army.
The response from the community agencies was overwhelming.
“They were just very thankful because they know this is the only way they can get this (baskets) for the kids.”
She personally drove baskets out to the Salvation Army, and she got big hugs from administrators.
A big part of the effort was not only recieving full baskets, but cash donations as well, which allowed her and other volunteers to go out and purchase stuffers and missing pieces to the baskets.
Then there was the wrapping.
“I probably wrapped about 1,000 baskets with my kids,” she said.
The drive is always a family affair.
“My seven-year-old, Abigial, helped wrap 150 herself the night before.”
Other family members helped as well.
“I also want to thank my dad, Joe Jekel, who collected a lot of money from people and of course my mom, Donna Jekel, who is also principaL of the school. Big thanks go to all of the kids and the teachers. Without them, it couldn’t happen.
“We are already starting to collecting for next year.”