ALGIERS, La. -- At Eisenhower Academy in Algiers, fourth grader Jazzmine Howard and her sister Makayla, who is a pre-kindergarten student, are getting their new school uniforms. It is a big day for both girls.
"It's awesome to have new uniforms, because you don't have to wear the same uniforms every single day," said Jazzmine.
They received their outfits through the Adopt A Family school uniform drive, which uses donations to purchase uniforms for students whose families cannot obtain them.
School social worker Shayne Latter knows the uniform drive sends a strong message to the students.
"That people care about them, that you know, that they're not just in this by themselves, that there are people out there who want good for them, and want to help them out, and see them succeed."
At Eisenhower alone, there have been 30 requests for school uniforms so far, but the Adopt A Family Program has had the funds to provide only 20 to this point. This year fundraising has been a challenge.
"Well, Bill, we've helped 18 schools, and last year we helped 38 schools," said Adopt A Family Founder Kevin Buckel. "So after Labor Day I'm expecting a lot more requests to come in from the students."
This is the 19th year that Eyewitness News has worked with the non profit Adopt A Family program on this school uniform drive. But this year Adopt A Family founder Kevin Buckel says because of the economy corporate donations are down, and he is worried that the need for uniforms may actually be up.
"What we're seeking is a $50 dollar donation that we allocate to each student, and with that we can buy two school uniforms, and we will send back to the donor an actual receipt showing that all the money was spent on school uniforms, and a thank you note from the student that they were assigned to."
This year Kevin Buckel hopes to raise $25,000 to meet the requests of all students who need uniforms. The principal of Eisenhower Academy knows the uniforms can help improve student performance.
"It makes them fit in," said Principal Monica Boudouin. "You know, they're not wearing tattered pants, or old discarded uniforms, so for them to have new uniforms is really good for our kids."
