CARIBOU, Maine — As the 2020-21 school year slowly unfolds with some new routines and procedures in place, local health care employees helped make sure kids have all they need to start the year.
It is still projected that the typical family will spend hundreds of dollars on back to school supplies and clothing. Pines Health Services’ annual school supply drive’s mission is to once again help bridge a portion of the gap between what families can afford and what students need.
“It is so important that our elementary friends start the school year off on the right foot with much needed supplies for the upcoming school year, especially given the current pandemic which is causing concern financially to many families. Our team was unquestionably delighted to be so giving for such a worthy cause,” said Lisa Caron, chief operating officer at Pines.
“This year’s drive allowed us to deliver six totes, filled to the top, to various elementary schools in the communities we serve. The team looks forward to this school supply collection every single year, and while for a moment there was uncertainty about what the schools would be doing this year due to COVID19, we know they needed supplies now more than ever,” said Caron.
National Health Center Week 2020 was held Aug. 9 through 15 and is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers. Health centers across the country serve close to 30 million patients, a number that continues to grow as there is an increase in demand for affordable primary care. In addition to their long history as health care homes to millions, health centers produce innovative solutions to the most pressing health care issues in their communities and reach beyond the walls of conventional medicine.
“As your Community Health Center, Pines is always searching for ways to improve overall health, economic and emotional wellbeing of children and families in the areas we serve. It is super gratifying to be able to give back to our patients when we are able to,” said Elizabeth Singer, communications and community relations representative for Pines Health Services and Cary Medical Center.
“Without the unmatched generosity of the Pines team and our communities, we would not have been able to deliver this unexpected gift to various elementary schools and take some of that burden off of parents, caregivers and teachers,” said Singer.
Pines Health Services is a non-profit, community-based multi-specialty medical and dental practice serving the residents of northern and central Aroostook County. For more information, visit www.Pineshealth.org or see them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pineshealthservices.
