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Deschayni Nielsen, who will be a kindergartener at St. Helens Elementary School, picks up her backpack from Carissa Hooper, left, and Hilda Schierscher, right, at the Moose Lodge in Longview on Monday. With Deschayni are, from left to right, Jesse, McKinnah and Sharaya Nielsen. McKinnah will be in fourth grade and Sharaya in fifth grade at St. Helens. Bill Wagner / The Daily News

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Group rallies to get elementary students stocked for new school year

Monday, August 18, 2008 11:57 PM PDT

By Carrie Pederson

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Hilda Schierscher remembers the excitement of getting new school supplies when she was a little girl.

“It was probably Michael Jackson everything,” Schierscher said.

Schierscher wanted to spread the joy of getting new school supplies to children whose parents cannot afford them this school year, which starts in Longview on Aug. 28.

She invited her family, friends and co-workers at Moonlight Bay tanning to support a child at St. Helens Elementary School by contributing $20 to $100 for the cost of their school supplies, distributed Monday morning at the Moose Lodge in Longview.

Many went people beyond her call and paid for extra “treats,” Schierscher, 31, said Monday.

“With our economy the way it currently is, everyone feels the pressure. I am so happy it didn’t slow this amazing group of people from taking care of kids one bit,” she said.

Every year businesses, community organizations and parents donate school supplies to schools, said St. Helens Principal Mary Ann Robbins. “This (drive) is much more targeted, which is the amazing thing to me,” she said.

By finding out favorite characters and colors, Schierscher and volunteers personalized packages for each of the 49 recipients.

“I know there are many children in need,” Schierscher wrote to St. Helens teachers last year. “I am asking you to chose three to four from your classroom that you feel need some ‘hope’ most.”

Schierscher, who has a 6-year-old son who attends Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary School, said she chose St. Helens for her project because there is so much need there.

Monday morning, the St. Helens recipients were already waiting at the door of the Moose Lodge when volunteers arrived to distribute backpacks.

Pink and purple backpacks with the images Bratz, Hannah Montana and High School Musical characters brought wide-eyed “thank yous” from little girls.

“I am very happy,” said mother Beatrice Radillo, who brought four children to receive backpacks, supplies and soccer balls.

Eighty-seven percent of students at St. Helens are on free or reduced lunch assistance, Robbins said. Furthermore, the economy will make buying school supplies more difficult this year, she said.

“So many of our kids won’t have anything new,” Robbins said. “That’s one of the funnest parts of starting school.”

Around December of last year, Schierscher sent out invitations to friends and family members to participate in the Big Backpack Give.

“I must say the spirit of Oprah’s Big Give is probably what kept me going” on the idea, Schierscher said.

The word about the give spread as far as Chehalis, she said.

“This grew to something I never imagined,” Schierscher said. “I have spent many days crying joyous tears. I had no idea this would have ever expanded like this.”

Students at St. Helens are not only getting school supplies but an important lesson from the community, Robbins said.

“These kids are going out into the community. We need to model that for them,” she said.

“There are so many people in the community that go above and beyond. You never know with one act of kindness what the long-term effects will be.”

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mom of 2 wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:25 AM:

" It's people like this that make our community great. My husband got laid off about a month ago, and it would have been nice to know about this, but luckily I had a relative that helped out. I love groups that help out, because not everyone has a family member that can help. Keep up the good work. It is noticed. "

lucky1 wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:27 AM:

" What a great person. Those kids will remember that forever. I wish they would have run an article beforehand. I would have liked to help. "

Someone Who Cares wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:15 AM:

" Good job Hilda! I'm really glad to see community members such as Hilda step up to the plate. However, the need is not strictly limited to the St. Helen's school, no matter what the statistics say about 87%. The need in this community is spread countywide. I bet if Hilda had inquired at CVG, she would've found students within her own child's school that needed help. There should be a central agency in town, for example Salvation Army or CAP, that could serve as a central location for donations of this type and be responsible so it's open to all community members. There are alot of families at St. Helen's who are already getting the majority of their expenses paid for by the state. Those who are hard working and having a hard time of it really need the assistance. Once again, good job Hilda! "

gemini_june_20 wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:16 AM:

" I was one of the fortunate people who was able to participate in this backpack drive. Hilda did an awesome job of making this "personal" for those participating. In my case, I sponsored a 5th grade girl who loved horses and "girlie" things. I found a pink backpack with tiny horses all over it! I then had the fun of filling the backpack with trendy supplies that I thought a 5th grader might like. It brought back wonderful memories of those fun days of school supply shopping back in the day when I was child!

I am already thinking about next year and can hardly wait to sponsor a second child. Next year, I'm hoping to also obtain the child's clothing sizes so that I can do a bit more by including a new outfit.

If you are interested in participating next year in this event, suggest you call Hilda Schierscher. Something tells me this will grow next year....and maybe even expand to take on a second school. "

gemini_june_ wrote on Aug 19, 2008 11:10 AM:

" It unfortunate that folks leap to make a comment, "hey wait, what about XYZ school?....why St. Helens, why not CVG, why not Kessler? etc?". If you step back, it shouldn't matter who or which school was on the end. For me personally, I don't even live in the Longview community. I live out of State, but I was inspired to help! I recognize this IS a community wide problem, actually a US wide problem! It's important to remember that something like this starts with one very simple act of kindness, it often starts small idea/thought/plan and grows into something larger and again it shouldn't matter at all who is on the receiving end of that act of kindness. As I read this article, it seems like this is how it all started for Hilda, started as something "small" simply 1 person wanting to buy some supplies for kids in need, then turned into something much larger with a large group of people helping. One small act can grow and who knows what next year holds. This is an AWESOME example of "passing it on" and make a big difference. I'm hoping this article inspires others out there to "pass it on"....if others are inspired to pick up the phone and call Hilda to contribute next year, I can only imagine the possibilities!!! "

bulldog42 wrote on Aug 19, 2008 11:50 AM:

" Way to go Hilda, you have started something that will grow way beyond what you were ever expecting.

I know the backpack buddies started at Northlake and expanded to Kessler last year, becuase a article was ran in the Daily News giving props to a lady who started it. She has since return to Hawaii, but has left a lasting impression on this community.

Just give this time to take hold and there will more than St. Helen's kids receiving this special treatment.

Once again way to go Hilda. "

Kaijakoira wrote on Aug 19, 2008 3:08 PM:

" Thank you, Hilda, for doing this for the kids. I know it means a lot to them. Those who ask "what about --- school?" should be asking themselves, "What about me? What can I do for the kids in --- school?" Just one caveat on giving: It's important to help kids, but it's also important to teach them to give to others so they'll be less likely to develop unhealthy attitudes of personal entitlement. (That holds true for ALL kids, regardless of their parents' financial status.) A kid doesn't need much money to brighten an elderly person's day by doing a small chore, drawing a picture or making a card for him or her. "

what i think wrote on Aug 19, 2008 7:56 PM:

" Thank you so much for thinking of the people who cant afford the things that the other kids at school have this was a wonderful way to show love to the community and show our children there is hope for a better future god bless you "

Commenter wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:36 PM:

" I would definately get involved with this next year. It's great for teaching the kids values that many do not have anymore. As for those asking about other schools... Here's your chance, start a program there, don't sit back and expect everyone else to do it for you. And as for having CAP, or the Salvation Army run this... Why? What is wrong with a community getting together to do something good? Why must it be handed over to some agency? More work = more costs = more taxes... "

Hazard Co wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Hilda you are SO thoughtful, and you know just how to motivate people to help, thank you for what you have done and for allowing me to be a part of the beginning. These kids rarely get to see the acts of kindness that you and this years participants have shown them, you are a GEM! You are truly the "wind beneath our wings", we are so fortunate to have you in our lives, they are much sunnier! "

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