Ready2Learn ready to go for eighth year
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Ready2Learn program sponsored by state Rep. Brandon Phelps is beginning its eighth year.
Ready2Learn is a not-for-profit program created by Phelps to provide school supplies to students who otherwise would not be able to purchase them on their own. The program accepts donations of money and school supplies from individuals and businesses. Ready2Learn will send 100 percent of the donations back to school children in the form of classroom school supplies, according to a news release from Phelps.
"We have had a tremendous success with program in the past and I am thrilled to continue our service to the community," Phelps said in the news release. "We are fortunate to have helped hundreds of students over the past several years because of many generous donations to aid in the purchasing of supplies."
Phelps started the program when he learned teachers often purchase supplies for low-income schoolchildren out of their own pockets.
"With Ready2Learn, teachers can contact us and let us know what their students need so we can supply them with the tools for learning," he said.
Ready2Learn has a seven-member board that conducts day-to-day operations and oversees donations. In addition to Phelps, board members include Jim Fowler of Harrisburg; two former regional superintendents of schools, Dan Anderson of Vienna and Linda Blackman of Harrisburg; Goreville school Superintendent Steve Webb; and teacher and Illinois Education Association member Jan Cleveland of Carmi.
-- Anyone wishing to donate to Ready2Learn may drop off items at Phelps' Harrisburg constituent office, 2 N. Vine St., fifth floor. For additional information you may contact Phelps' Harrisburg office at (618) 253-4189.