Working for Illinois Caucus

BOLINGBROOK, IL — A local lawmaker is attempting to help local school-age students whose families may not be able to afford school supplies and who may be able to use the generosity of the Bolingbrook community.

Illinois Rep. Dagmara "Dee" Avelar announced a school supply drive on Monday that will run through the end of June that will help local families who struggle financially.

Avelar’s offices in Bolingbrook (623 E. Boughton Rd., Suite 130) and Sen. Eric Mattson’s district office (20660 Caton Farm Rd., Crest Hill) will be collecting the school supplies. Local residents may drop off supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, glue sticks, pencil cases, crayons, colored pencils, rulers, wide-ruled notebook paper, and other school needs at Avelar’s office between 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and on Saturday.

Mattson’s office will be accepting the donations between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"If students don’t have school supplies, they can’t fully participate in class and may feel left out or excluded by their peers," Avelar said in a news release. "As a community, we must support these students and provide them with the school supplies they need for a successful academic year. By meeting these needs, our students can fully focus on their academics."

Avelar has been a strong supporter of students and education, the release said. The local Democrat helped to pass a budget that increases evidence-based education funding by $350 million and invests millions in special and early childhood education.

"An investment in Illinois’ students is an investment in our state’s future. Even a small donation of crayons or notebooks can make a difference in a student’s academic career and lead to greater opportunities down the road," Avelar said. "I encourage everyone to give what they can and support the students in our community. I will always advocate providing our students with the high-quality education they deserve."

For more information on the school supply drive or other events, please contact Avelar’s full-time constituent service office at (815) 372-0085 or info@repdagmara.org.