“For most kids the end of August means back-to-school shopping for new clothes and school supplies.But unfortunately, there are also kids who have to make do with second hand or hand-me-down clothes, because there isn’t any extra money in the family budget for new ones. Single moms on fixed incomes, parents with medical or employment troubles — these neighbors would like nothing more than to treat their kids to a few new outfits, but sometimes it’s just not possible.So again this year, five South Whidbey residents who are not too old to remember the thrill of choosing new clothes and of knowing you’ll look good for the first day of school have donated $2,500 to buy 50 gift certificates of $50 each for clothes and school supplies. It’s called the Back-to-School Project, and for the second year, they’re asking the Family Resource Center’s Readiness to Learn program to challenge the rest of the community to match their gift, with the goal of helping 100 low income South Whidbey kids start school this year with a smile.Readiness to Learn, a family support program through the schools, will administer the Back-to-School Project through the Family Resource Center at South Whidbey Intermediate School.While supplies last, the center will issue a $50 gift certificate to stores like Wal Mart, Target or Kmart in the name of each eligible school child referred by school personnel, Readiness to Learn, and community and charitable groups such as Good Cheer, Helping Hand and Friends of Friends.Readiness to Learn and their anonymous donors hope other individuals, families, businesses and clubs in the community will rise to the challenge of raising an additional $2,500 so no school child has to be left out because there weren’t enough certificates.Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Readiness to Learn, P.O. Box 346, Langley WA 98260. Checks should be made to Readiness to Learn, with a note that the donation is for the Back-to-School project.There are other ways to donate as well. Families doing their own school shopping can share the joy of giving by taking time to buy a $50 gift certificate wherever they’re shopping, said Sharon Bell of Readiness to Learn. For the cost of one left shoe in a pair of Nikes or another sweater at The Gap, your kids can help someone their age get ready for school too.All donations — checks or gift certificates — should be made by Aug. 25 to give time for recipients to go shopping before school starts on Sept. 5. Any questions can be addressed to Sharon or Gail at the Readiness to Learn office, 321-6100.”