Barksdale PTA to host uniform clothing drive

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Barksdale Parent Teacher Association is scheduled to host a school uniform drive July 30 at Hoban Hall.

The inaugural uniform drive dispersal will be consolidated with the annual Back to School Night July 30 and will provide gently used public school uniform items to the children of active duty and reserve military personnel.

"The amount of items allotted to each child will depend on the number of items donated," said Suzzanne Slaughter, drive coordinator. "Quantity, sizes and selection will be based on the donations received. The more we receive, the more we can give."

Uniform items will be collected June 1 through 30 and can be dropped off on base at the Youth Center, Barksdale Base Library, main base child development center, East Reservation CDC and The Landings at Barksdale housing office. Collection bins will also be set up at the Navy Operational Support Center in Bossier City.

Previously, donated uniform items were available for military families at the Airman's Attic over the course of several weeks. Consolidating the drive and the Back to School Night will provide a one-stop-shop for parents' and students' back to school needs.

Slaughter said the idea for the drive originated after she polled several parents and realized how viable of an endeavor it could be.

"I hit the ground running with this event and never looked back," she said. "It is my hope that this year's event lays the foundation for future events like this in the years to come."

However, Slaughter said her focus is currently on ensuring this year's pilot event is a success. By hosting this on Back to School Night, the PTA will be able to reach more people at one time and increase the number of families they are able to help.

"This will help off-set the cost of school uniforms for our active and reserve military personnel," she said. "Ultimately, our goal is to support our military families.

Though the drive is still in the donation phase, some Barksdale families are already eagerly anticipating the contribution.

"We have four foster children and recently changed our family size from two children to six in just a few months, so getting uniforms for the kids would be so helpful to us financially," said Cassandra Abeln, military spouse. "What the PTA is doing is really a great cause, and I think it's going to make a big difference in families' lives."