A helping hand

Hundreds of children in West Seattle elementary schools will greet the new academic year fully equipped to learn because of the hard work and dedication of Sue Lindblom.

Over the past 14 years, thousands already have.

Lindblom, owner of Illusions Hair Design, is the power behind Pencil Me In for Kids, which seeks to ensure every student returns to class with school supplies. She uses her salon and high energy to collect donations, sell buttons and T-shirts and sponsor raffles, dinners and car washes to raise money.

In 2000, she teamed with the West Seattle Rotary to expand the reach of her campaign. Together, they work with Seattle Public Schools Family Support Workers to identity needy students and get them help. Volunteers assemble and sort the supplies, which are taken to local schools for distribution.

Lindblom happily describes the dynamic of local people helping local kids.

The need is real and demand is up in uncertain economic times.

Generous readers of this editorial page are supporting the school supply drive of The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy. There is still time to help overwhelmed families coping with the expense of another school year.

Contributions to our school-supply campaign are divided among three excellent agencies: Hopelink, the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and the YWCA of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County. They buy, organize and distribute the grade-appropriate supplies.

A backpack full of community support is a powerful boost to get students started back to class.

Send a donation to: The School Supply Drive, care of The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, P.O. Box C-11025, Seattle, WA 98111. For donations via credit/debit card, e-mail pdelaney@seattletimes.com for details.