Collections Begin For Every Kid Counts Back 2 School Clothing Drive

Coordinators Tasha and Colton Buckhanan (left) along with volunteer Serra McCabe and daughter Charity (right) are ready to begin collecting for the third annual Every Kid Counts Back 2 School Clothing Drive to be held Aug. 8. Helping with the project are the Buckhanan children, Penelope, Theodore, Owen and Benjamin.

Ron Smith

One Ripley County family’s dedication to helping children is an everyday part of their lives.

Colton Buckhanan’s regular job is teaching middle school students at Lone Star R-IV School. Tasha Buckhanan is a stay-at-home mom to the couple’s four children. The oldest recently was graduated from kindergarten.

Each week, they lead the van ministry at West Point Church and serve as teachers for Kids Blast, providing a free meal and classes for kids at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church. Parents are welcomed as well.

As summer winds toward the anticipated start of school in August, the Buckhanan family is back at work heading a program they helped launch three years ago.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, all school children in Ripley County are eligible to attend the ‘Every Kids Counts Back 2 School Clothing Drive’ at West Point Church east of Doniphan.

From 8:30-2:30 p.m., free clothing, shoes and hygiene products will be availble at no cost to students from pre-kindergarten through senior high school.

“The clothing drive is a way to show an extended hand of Jesus through loving and providing for those in need,” the organizers said.

In the first two years hundreds of children have received items through the clothing drive.

Donations boxes are now welcoming donations at several local businesses for this year’s drive. Gently used and new clothing and shoes are accepted. Undergarments and socks also are accepted but must be new.

Something new to be given away at this year’s drive are hygiene packs. Donations are needed for travel size toothbrushes/tootpastes, body wash, shampoo and deordants.

Donations boxes can be found at Southern Bank, Bank Of Grandin, Peoples Community Bank, Ozark Federal Credit Union, Jamison’s Super Saver, Current River Fabrics and Quilting and West Point Church.

“We appreciate everyone’s help and love for this great event,” the Buckhanans said.

Monetary donations are welcomed to help with providing hygience products, socks and undergarments. Checks should be made payable to West Point Church, c/o 36 Ripley 21N-12, Doniphan, Mo., 63935. Please write ‘Clothing Drive’ on memo line.

For more information call Serra at 573-544-4513 or Tasha at 573-660-0071.