Olivia Stone with (from left to right) Chief Culmone, Officer Sikoryak, and Officer Slattery.
By BROOKE FELDMAN
LONGPORT - The Longport Police Department is hosting a school supply drive in an effort to help children in need get ready for the 2021 school year.
In today's time, we all must do our part to help those who need it most, Community Police Liaison and Patrolman Frank Lupperger said in a press release. Our responsibility to help doesn't end at the borders of Longport and this initiative is an example of that.
In 2019, the Longport Police Department collaborated with the Margate and Ventnor police departments, donating the school supplies to the Atlantic City Police Athletic League. Longport collaborated with the Pleasantville Police Department in 2020 to distribute the supplies to Stockton University-Homework Initiative Program.
For the third year in a row, community members can donate new school supplies to be given to a chosen charity. Supplies can be dropped off at the Longport Police Department lobby or City Hall.
This process is nothing new to local teen Olivia Stone, 14, who raised over $1,500 in 2019 and $2,500 in 2020 for the cause.
She has been a huge contributor, Sgt. Ray Burgan said. Olivia has really raised a lot. She came in with a truckload of supplies each time.
Stone loading a car with school supplies to donate to children in need.
Stone recalls when she knew she wanted to help local children. While shopping for her own school supplies, she overheard a family whispering that they were not able to afford their child's supplies.
I felt so bad for them and wanted to buy them the school supplies that they needed, said Stone, who began fundraising for the department's drive when she was 12 years old. I know a lot of kids struggle, and without basic school supplies it is even harder for them to learn than it already is.
Stone and her parents collect donations using payment applications. This year, they also plan to ask local businesses to contribute to the cause.
Even 50 cents helps, said Sheri Spiewak, Stone's mother. It's a box of crayons or pencils.
Stone wants to raise enough money to fill 250 backpacks with new supplies. After only a week of fundraising, she has raised $660.
It is great watching these kids grow up while continuing to contribute to these noteworthy causes, said Burgan, who is always amazed by Stone's efforts. I look forward to seeing Olivia again.
The Stone family and anyone who wishes to donate has until Aug. 30 to drop off their supplies.
We are hoping this will be the best year so far, said Spiewak, a proud mother.
The following supplies, in new condition, can be donated:
spiral notebook (wide-ruled); notebook paper (wide-ruled); plastic folders (pockets and brads); pencil-top erasers; composition notebooks; washable markers; red, blue and black pens; No. 2 pencils; glue sticks; large erasers; scissors; crayons; colored pencils; backpacks; rulers; markers; facial tissue; and hand sanitizer.
