Jun 8, 2016 2 min read

Although this school year is wrapping up, you can help families prepare for 2016-17 by donating new or lightly used shirts, pants, jeans, shoes, jackets and school uniforms for students of all ages.

Eagle Scout candidate Reed Ulery of Boy Scout Troop 22 is partnering with the Salvation Army to collect kids’ clothing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in the parking lot of Mt. Lebanon Public Library, 16 Castle Shannon Blvd.

Collected goods will be used with the Salvation Army’s backpack program so that less-fortunate students can start next school year with sufficient clothing and school supplies. Donations are tax-deductible, and receipts will be available.

Maj. Paul Moore of the Salvation Army’s Pittsburgh Temple Corps spoke about last year’s backpack distribution.

“It was beautiful to see these kids and their parents. They were truly grateful,” he said. “And it really does so much good for these families. It takes a financial burden off the parents and a material burden off the kids. This allows the kids to do even better in school.”

The concept appeals to Reed, a Mt. Lebanon High School junior.

“I wanted to lead an Eagle Scout project a little bit outside of the ordinary ‘building a covered bench’ or ‘restoring a trail,'” he said. “When planning, I wanted to find something that would help as many people as possible, especially locally, and I think this will have an important impact on the kids and families next school year, and hopefully into the future.”

Reed plays principal French horn in the wind ensemble and orchestra at the high school, as well as in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is one of the drum majors for the marching band and is student director of the chamber choir.