Jefferson County Health and Education Fair organizers are seeking donations for the annual fair, which provides school supplies to children from low-income families, said Jennifer Brody of the Disability Resource Association.
She said organizers also are asking Jefferson Countians to nominate local educators for the group’s annual School Superhero Contest.
Both the Back to School Fair and the School Superhero Contest are co-sponsored by the Disability Resource Association and the Jefferson County Health and Education Committee. The committee is a partnership of local nonprofit organizations and area health and social service groups, Brody said.
School Superhero Contest
Nominations for the School Superhero Contest opened Monday, and the deadline for nominations is April 30.
The winner will receive a $250 cash prize, plus $500 for his or her school.
“All finalists will receive a basket of super goodies any educator will love,” Brody added.
The contest, which was begun last year to honor those involved in education during the pandemic, is open to any teacher, administrator or support staff worker from any school in Jefferson County, Brody said.
Winners are decided through an online vote at the fair’s website, dra4help.org.
“They (educators) may nominate themselves, or someone can nominate them,” Brody said. “Usually, someone nominates them. (Contestants) have to be an employee of a Jefferson County school, public or private.”
She said organizers would like to see more nominations this year.
“Last year, I think we had 27 nominations,” Brody said. “We know these people have really stepped up during the pandemic. It’s been a difficult year for everyone.”
Last year’s winner was Hillsboro Intermediate School Principal Scott Readnour.
Brody said the contest is being run strictly online, so all nominations and voting are to take place through the website.
Health and Education Fair
The 2021 Health and Education Fair is scheduled for July 29 at the Jefferson College Field House in Hillsboro. Donations for that event will be used to provide children in need with backpacks, school supplies, a pair of name brand shoes and other resources.
“This fair is about 20 years old,” Brody said. “For the last six or seven years we’ve held it at the Jefferson College Field House and we’ve served between 700 and 800 students most years.”
She said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair’s main fundraising event (a trivia night) will not be held this year. Therefore, donations are even more important than normal.
“This year, businesses or individuals may sponsor the School Superhero Contest or the fair itself,” Brody said. “They may also buy a backpack with school supplies (to be given to one of the children) for $25. We’re partnering with Sneakers with Soul, an organization based in St. Louis, to provide the name brand shoes.”
Low-income families may register their children for the fair through the Jefferson/Franklin Community Action Corporation at 636-789-2686 or the Jefferson County Disability Resource Association at 636-931-7696. The registration deadline is June 30.