T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Unity in Our Community members Julie Jarrell, Lanette Martin, Cindy Soderberg and Roberta Edgar stand next to totes full of items for school buildings in Marshalltown. The totes contain items needed at each school facility.

School buildings in Marshalltown will receive totes of needed items beginning today.

Members of Unity in Our Community held events – a bake sale at the Holiday Stroll and the Because We Care carnival in September — last year to raise funds for the 11 Marshalltown schools.

In total, $3,900 was raised, which was divided equally amongst the buildings — including Marshalltown Christian School and St. Francis Catholic School. Member Lanette Martin said each school will receive $300 worth of merchandise and the remaining funds will be used for future Unity in Our Community activities.

“I was in contact with Stacey [Tool-Crawford], the head nurse with the school,” she said. “She was my middle man for a while and got all the school nurses, who got me their Amazon Wishlists. That way we were able to get what they needed, not what we think they needed.”

Martin said they wanted to donate items, rather than the money, to make it more personal.

“We thought it would be nice for us to do that work for them,” she said. “It’s been a lot of work.”

Member Cindy Soderberg said each tote has different items – such as leggings and sweatpants, deodorant, fidget toys, hygiene products, winter wear, undergarments and more.

“Having taught in the school district for most of my career, I felt very strongly that what we purchased for each school is what each school sees as a need,” she said. “I have been on the receiving end as a teacher of gifts and sometimes it was things I didn’t need. Always appreciated, but not a real need. That was in the forefront of our minds.”

Martin said they also did not want to provide items which other organizations have already given, such as backpacks or coats.

“Those areas are already fulfilled,” she said.

Martin said now that they have completed this cause, Unity in Our Community will place earlier focus on the Because We Care carnival on Sept. 7 at the Marshalltown Arts and Community Center. They also want to do something nice for teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day on May 7.

“We will keep our eye out for other needs and opportunities,” she said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.