Often, people only think to donate clothes or gifts to economically disadvantaged children during holidays. Those children and their families usually are not thought of during other times of the year --especially during the summer.

The Salvation Army is giving local residents a chance to help children get a good start on one of the most important times in a child's life -- the start of the school year.

Residents can select the name of a disadvantaged youth at Oak Park Mall beginning July 31 and buy some of the school supplies and clothing the child needs for the school year.

Schools are unable to provide some supplies because of budget cuts. Parents sometimes have to foot the bill for expensive items, like calculators. Those purchases plus notebooks, folders and new clothing can add up.

Children need the supplies required by their school to do well. Not having those supplies puts those children behind the rest of the class, even before the school year is underway.

We encourage local residents to choose a name. Even buying a child a couple key items will help with the families' back-to-school costs.

Gifts for holidays are important, but helping a child receive a good education is an even better way to help prepare a child for a great future.