HAWC seeks backpacks, school supplies for kids

SALEM – Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) is seeking donations of backpacks and school supplies for children of those victims of domestic abuse it assists with food, shelter and counseling.Each year, HAWC tries to provide the children with items necessary to attend school and make them feel at ease among their colleagues.Supplies can be dropped off at HAWC’s central office at 27 Congress St. in Shetland Park, Suite 201, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., through the end of August.All donated items will be distributed to children in the elementary grades through high school. Among the most useful goods are pens, markers, pencils and pencil cases, calculators, highlighters, binders, loose leaf paper, notebooks, folders, erasers and similar school supplies. HAWC also accepts gift certificates or gift cards for school supplies and clothing, according to Alicia Black Weaver, assistant director of development.Weaver said the 2010 back-to-school drive marks HAWC’s 14th consecutive year providing school supplies to needy children.For more information, call HAWC at 978-744-8552 or visit the organization’s Web site at www.hawcdv.org.HAWC provides services to victims of domestic violence and the families in 23 towns and cities, mostly on the North Shore.