While the cliché “It takes a village to raise a child” may be over used its importance is not lost. This past weekend was Virginia’s “tax free holiday” providing much needed savings for many families as they began preparing to send their children back to school. More help was provided right here at home, in our village if you will, with school supply drives such as the one hosted by the Carl U. Eggleston Foundation at the Prince Edward Elks Lodge on July 29.

As reported in The Herald, “Organizer Carl Eggleston said donations came primarily from the foundation, members of the community, the Elk’s Lodge Chapter #269 and Manhattan Temple Chapter #184.”

Along with handing out school supplies the event included motivational speakers, “Prince Edward Sheriff Wesley Reed, Prince Edward Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Clark and Prince Edward County Public Schools Director of Support Services Richard Goode.

Reed, Clark and Goode encouraged students to listen to their parents, ask teachers questions and to become involved in school.”

Area churches are also holding school supply drives handing out school supplies such as notebooks, crayons, glue and even back packs for students to carry their supplies and books.

More than the actual supplies these groups provide is the very loud and clear message to area youth and their families — we care, we are here for you and we, as a village, are committed to helping you.

A big shoutout and thank you to Carl Eggleston for organizing the annual school supply drive. Thank you also to the Foundation, the Prince Edward Elks Lodge Chapter #29, the Manhattan Temple Chapter #184, all the area churches who have provided school supplies and encouragement, and to all those who have given of their time, their money and concern to help and encourage the children of our area.

Job well done!

Betty J. Ramsey is publisher for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Betty.Ramsey@FarmvilleHerald.com.