Seymour freshman makes sure student needs are met

By Gracelyn Giese

Contributing Writer

SEYMOUR – While back-to-school shopping can be an exciting experience for many children, rising costs of classroom supplies can be a stressor for families; however, one local high school student has been dedicated to making sure all students have the necessary supplies for a successful school year.

For the past five years Walker Haas-Bredeson, a rising freshman at Seymour Community High School, has been hosting a Back to School Supply Drive as part of his birthday celebration.

With support from his grandmother Prudence Walker, owner of Rustic Cuts and Co., Haas-Bredeson has been able to gather variety of school supplies.

Haas-Bredeson shared that the inspiration for the supply drive came from the community members that had helped him and his grandmother over the years and worked as a learning opportunity to “know the importance of giving back.”

While each individual school and grade may have different necessities, Walker Haas-Bredeson noted “We are looking for student and teacher supplies of all kinds, from book bags to paper clips. We are also collecting monetary donations for school lunch accounts.”

As part of the Back to School Supply Drive, they will also be at the Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 1-7 p.m., at Seymour Lake Park.

The bash will be hosted in part by Danielle Whitman, Shado Rose, Jim Belfast and the Seymour Business League.

Walker will be making a push to gain more needed supplies with the goal to fill a whole school bus.

The event will also include limited quantities of free hotdogs and hamburgers, sandcastle building, a 50-50 raffle, volleyball, fishing and more.

Donations for Walker’s Sixth Annual Back-to-School Supply Drive can be dropped off at Rustic Cuts and Co., 247 N Main St., Seymour. Donations will be accepted from today until Aug. 27 and will benefit schools in Seymour and Black Creek as well as Community 2000.

For more information, visit the Rustic Cuts and Co.’s Facebook page.