Rescue Mission swaps Revs tickets for school supplies
Matthew Carey said he's heard of some parents having to pay $400 this time of year for school supplies.
"That’s a couple of utility bills and food bills," he said — hard for many people to afford.
So the York Rescue Mission, for which Carey serves as executive director, is having a drive to collect school supplies for kids in need, with a big part of the drive being held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday in the concourse in front of PeoplesBank Park at 5 Brooks Robinson Way in York City.
They're looking for normal school supplies: backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, folders, glue sticks, scientific calculators, binders and markers. The Rescue Mission also asks for toiletries such as liquid soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, lice shampoo and tissues.
York Rescue Mission adds mental health services
And anyone who brings anything will get a voucher for two tickets to Sunday's 1 p.m. York Revolution game against the Bridgeport Bluefish. A boy from the women and youth shelter will throw out the first pitch, and 30 or so kids from the mission's youth programs will come to the game and stand with the players during the national anthem, Carey said.
Events such as this — both going to the game and being able to have the stuff necessary to go to school — help lift the morale and expectations of kids who otherwise might not have much, he said.
"It’s about these kids feeling value and purpose to who they are," Carey said.
Health services now available at Rescue Mission
Anyone who wants to donate but can't make it to the drive Thursday may bring items to the stadium's ticket office, Logos Academy at 250 W. King St., the Rescue Mission at 367 W. Market St., the York Economy Store at 283 W. Market St., the Dover Economy Store at 67 N. Main St., the Dallastown Economy Store at 33 E. Maple St., Union Lutheran Church at 408 W. Market St., the Katallasso Family Health Center at 38 S. Belvidere Ave. or the York City Police Department at 50 W. King St.
— Reach Sean Cotter atscotter@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at@SPCotterYD.