Butler County charity already planning for back-to-school with backpacks, school supplies – Hamilton Journal News
The mission of Dougie & Ray’s is to serve college students in want Contained in the Fairfield Metropolis School District by way of tasks Simply like the backpack program and the annual Christmas Drive, As properly as To fulfilling on A daily basis wants.
McDaniel started the backpack program by himself with 25 luggage Full of provides. A yr later, he had round 115 backpacks. In yr three, the charity distrihowevered 75 backpacks.
This yr, his objective is to hit 200, and assemble The baggage with provides later this summer time at Fairfield Wesleyan Church on Anthony Wayne Avenue. Fairfield Wesleyan Pastor Billy Bruns said it’s an “straightforward” choice To assist McDaniel, who he says has An monumental ardour to assist The youngsters of the group and meeting wants that aren’t being met.
“Fairfield’s An excellent city, we’ve acquired A lot Of huge companies They typically do what They will, however there’s that area of curiosity market of meeting The wants of Our youngsters,” said Bruns. “Dougie & Ray’s have carried out An beautiful job of infiltrating into The varsity system using assets like The varsity liaisons To solely make an influence.”
Dougie & Ray’s and the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League will group As a lot as host the inaugural Cannonball For youngsters fundraiser to assist The two nonprofits. MICHAEL D. PITMAN/FILE
Whereas 200 backpacks are the objective, McDaniel said he hopes it’s “the tip of the iceberg this yr.”
“I really feel like Yearly we’ve acquiredten greater and greater, and been In a place To fulfill extra wants The varsity youngsters have,” he said. “COVID undoubtedly put a damper on issues, however we have been In a place to take our playbook, throw it out the window and actually just meet wants as they acquired here in.”
Finally, McDaniel said he hopes serving to in-want youngsters right now is the ripple Inside the water right now that makes huge waves Finally.
“I hope people see this and understand The want that’s in Fairfield, And maybe Inside their hometown In the event that they’re not in Fairfield, They typically see that they themselves can Exit and make a distinction, whether or not small or huge.”
And whether or not youngsters that get assist right now aspire to good heights, Or merely pay the kindness forward, McDaniel said he hopes “that strikes a chord with them, saying, ‘Hey, I acquired assisted out, maybe I can go assist out One other particular person.’ ”