Visitors to Austin’s OakPark Mall may see three slender saplings in the hallway, bravely standing between a bus and a table.

Tuesday, August 10, 1999

Visitors to Austin’s OakPark Mall may see three slender saplings in the hallway, bravely standing between a bus and a table. These are the symbols of the Caring Tree.

These saplings are bedecked with tags, each tag containing a code for a student’s name, and supplies they need in order to get off to a successful start in the 1999-2000 school year. Shoppers can take a tag, buy some or all of the supplies listed on it, and return it to the table for distribution by the Salvation Army, no later than Aug. 16.

That’s the thing right there, you see – "no later than Aug. 16."

People are going to be tempted as they pass by to do just that – pass by. They’ll think to themselves "Oh, I should do that, but hey, it’s Aug. 10 today and I’ll be back before then!"

Maybe you will and maybe you won’t. It’s only six days. You might go out of town. You might just never make it to the mall for some reason. You might be no help at all to a student who could use a little boost, despite your best intentions.

These are students who are really in need, who can’t afford to get all the supplies recommended or demanded by the public schools here. They’re not asking for the most stylish new book bags, or expensive pens. They’re looking for the basics -pens, scissors, protractors – they need to get going this year, and they’re looking to you. The Salvation Army estimates between 150-200 students could use this kind of assistance here in Austin.

So make an extra trip to the mall this week – today, even. Grab a tag, then grab a cart. Shop for school supplies and remember your own school days. Shop for school supplies and know you’re making a diffence. And do it now.