Supplies needed for grade-schoolers in oil-spill zone

Want to help a child impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Consider donating school supplies for the upcoming school year, suggests La. First Lady Supriya Jindal.

Through Aug. 1, the governor’s wife is asking locals to mail or drop off items for elementary school students at the state governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge.

“The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has greatly affected the lives of many Louisiana citizens,” Jindal said in a press release. “As we face the challenge of cleaning and restoring our marshes and wetlands, with its vibrant fisheries and delicacies, many of our citizens will need our help and our continued prayers.

“Adults and wildlife are not the only ones affected by this spill; our children are affected as well,” she said.

With school set to resume in the Tri-parish region in early August, Jindal said many families along the coast will be faced “with the strain of providing the necessary school supplies our children need for success …”

Among the suggested items needed in the supply drive are:

Backpacks, crayons (24-count), marble-backed composition books; large, pink pencil erasers; glue sticks; washable markers (8 basic colors); yellow highlighters; 4-by-6 ruled index cards; self-stick Post-In notes (100 sheets, approximately 3-by-3 inches); wide-ruled loose-leaf paper; multi-colored pack of construction paper; plastic pocket folders with prongs; manila file folders; no. 2 pencils; baby wipes; box of tissues; gallon and quart-size Ziploc bags; large roll of paper towels; and bottles of hand sanitizer.

Jindal said uniform items, such as sneakers, khaki pants and socks are also appreciated.

Items can be mailed to Kellie Duhon’s attention, 1001 Capitol Access Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

For more information on the school supply drive, contact Duhon at (225) 773-1415.