Takac, YMCA Partner for Back-to-School Drive

State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, and the YMCA of Centre County are once again partnering for a back-to-school donation drive to help provide supplies for local students.

Donations will be accepted until Aug. 9, according to a news release. Items can be dropped off during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Takac’s district office, 216 W. Hamilton Ave. in State College.

Supplies, which must be new, being accepted include:

• Backpacks
• Pens, pencils and erasers
• Highlighters
• Coloring tools
• Post-it notes
• Glue sticks

“I am excited to partner with the YMCA of Centre County to make school supplies more accessible to children and families in our local communities,” Takac said in a statement. “Having the right tools for learning helps kids start the school year off on the right foot and stay focused as they expand their education. I still remember the excitement of starting a new school year when I was a kid and having new supplies was definitely a big part of that.”

Donations can also be dropped off at the State College, Bellefonte and Moshannon Valley YMCA branches. Visit ymcaofcentrecounty.org/event/school-supply-drive/ for a full list of recommended donations.

Items gathered will be distributed at a Back-To-School Drive Distribution event planned from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, at the State College YMCA, 667 W. Whitehall Rd.

The event, which is free and open to the community, will feature a Wibit aquatic obstacle course, a cookout, slushies from Sunset Slush Happy Valley, basketball and the distribution of new school supplies.

“It’s important that we are starting the school year off in a positive and fun way while making sure local children have everything they need to be successful in the classroom,” Jamie SanFilippo, director of community outreach for YMCA of Centre County, said.