TALC holding donation drives
The Teachers Association of Lee County is holding multiple drives to help both the local community and those affected by Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle.
Teachers Association of Lee County spokesperson Susan DeLago said she and Debbie Fite have been working together to build public relations between the teachers and community.
Among the efforts, a diaper drive began to provide a helping hand for the ACT (Abuse and Counseling Center) shelter. DeLago said she has a friend, a former teacher, who works at the shelter, which began a conversation about the shelter’s needs.
That conversation began a diaper drive about a month ago.
“We had already planned and talked about the diapers,” she explained. “Women and children that come through the Abuse and Counseling Center sometimes come with nothing, so we decided that one of the things that women with babies always need is diapers.”
As a mother, DeLago said she knows the expense of diapers.
“We put out the word to our other TALC members across the county and teachers at schools began collecting diapers,” she said.
The student government at DeLago’s school donated $250 to the cause, which led to the purchase of diapers.
“We want to show the local people who need them that we can do what we can,” DeLago said. “There would not be a cut off date because there is always a need for that kind of stuff.”
Teachers Association of Lee County President Kevin Daly said last year folks from the Panhandle provided assistance to the schools following Hurricane Irma.
“We are repaying the favor. This is what we do in our group. One place needs help and the other is chipping in to help,” he said.
A school supply drive is currently under way with the hopes of delivering the supplies by Tuesday.
“Anything that is consumable – paper, pens, pencils, highlighters – anything you buy a kid to start school off with,” DeLago said of the supplies they are seeking. “Composition notebooks, dry erase markers, spiral notebooks. Anything to help the classrooms start up again.”
A nonperishable canned food drive to help those in the Florida Panhandle around Thanksgiving and Christmas time is also being held. She said some of the aid that residents of the hurricane affected areas are receiving will drop off, something Lee County experienced following Hurricane Irma.
The cut off for nonperishable canned food items is Dec. 18.
Those who would like to lend a helping hand can drop off diapers, canned food and school supplies at the TALC office.
The office is at 6281 Metro Plantation Road, Fort Myers. Call 275-8252 for more information.