Getting students ready for school

The start of the school year just got a little easier for many school children and their parents.

Backpacks filled with school supplies, including pencils, erasers, paper, rulers, crayons, glue and other essentials, have been delivered to elementary schools in Camas and Washougal.

With school supplies costing up to $90 for just one elementary school child, things can add up quickly and become a serious challenge for many families.

This year, the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club’s annual Backpack Project provided enough backpacks and supplies for 220 children in need. The donation was split evenly between Camas and Washougal schools, and will help bridge the gap for families struggling to purchase school supplies, organizers said.

“The program began nine years ago with 25 backpacks and this year, more than $4,500 worth of backpacks and school supplies were donated.” said Molly Coston, club president. “Our hope is to continue to grow the program and increase the number of families served.”

Washougal School District Superintendent Dawn Tarzian and Camas School District Superintendent Mike Nerland presented the backpacks to school administrators, who ensure that the students who need them receive the tools to start the year off right.

The Camas-Washougal Rotary meets at 7 a.m. on Thursday at Orchard Hills Golf & Country Club, 605 39th St., Washougal, Wash.

For more information, visit cwrotary.com.