Habersham County Sheriff’s Office school resource officers (SRO) have begun collecting school supplies for returning students in need for this upcoming school year.
Now Habersham met up with deputies Zach Shelnut and Wesley Littlejohn in the parking lot at Chick-fil-A in Cornelia Friday afternoon where they were set up to collect donated school supplies.
Littlejohn tells Now Habersham that the Sheriff’s Office SROs used to set up at Walmart but were unable to use that space this year. This year, they partnered with Chick-fil-A to continue the program of collecting school supplies for students in need.
Cornelia Chick-Fil-A Marketing Director Christy Bowen tells Now Habersham, “It is our pleasure to partner with the Sheriff’s Office and we are happy to do it.” So much so, for those that donate supplies at the Cornelia Chick-Fil-A location, they will receive a card to receive either a free chicken biscuit or a Chick-n-minis four count.
According to Littlejohn, deputies will set up again next Friday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Chick-fil-A in Cornelia to collect school supply donations.
The Sheriff’s Office has set up drop-off locations around the county if someone would like to donate. There are drop-off boxes located at the Habersham County Senior Center in Demorest, the Habersham County Administration Building, the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center, as well as at the Sheriff’s Office in Clarkesville.
For those unsure of what may be needed, Littlejohn says that cash donations can be accepted. Supplies will be distributed among students from kindergarten through 12th grade during the week before school starts.
He tells Now Habersham that last year, they were able to assist about 600 students with school supplies. This year, they have a loftier goal. “Last year, we helped 600 students. This year, we at least want 600, hopefully, 700 to 800 students,” Littlejohn says.
According to the Habersham County Sheriff’s SRO’s Facebook page, “The Habersham County community loves its children and youth, and so do our SROs. Our goal is to make sure that each student who can’t fulfill his or her school supply list gets the help needed to obtain as many required items as possible for the first day of school.”
