Priestley Chiropractic, located at 81 Conklin Street in Farmingdale, is hosting a school supply drive in an effort to help low-income families in the Farmingdale area prepare for going back to school.

Being involved in the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club, Dr. Walter Priestley heard from some school administrators and board members, also Rotarians, that there are some students in need .

"[We were] discussing some of the students in need in the Farmingdale community, how parents have a tough time paying for some of the school supplies and that teachers are trying to keep the lists affordable for the students." he said, adding that Rotary Club members pointed out that for some families, especially those who have a number of school age children, the cost of personal school supplies could add up. Rotarians also noted that in the past, teachers and administrators have reached into their own pockets to help such students. Upon hearing this, Dr. Priestley thought that perhaps his office could give them a hand this year and decided to hold a school supply drive.

He admits that he was not the first person to think of organizing such a drive and notes that once he began to promote it he found out that there were many other organizations that were hosting similar drives.

"Just last weekend the Girl Scouts were holding a rummage sale to raise money for the same cause," he said.

With advice from local educators and some parents of school age children, Dr. Priestley's office compiled a list of frequently needed items. His office distributed thousands of flyers in an attempt to raise awareness in the community.

"Hopefully the word will get out so when families go out to buy they will think of others," Dr. Priestley said. "It may also be a good lesson for the children."

Some of the items that are suggested for contribution include loose-leaf paper, binders, marble notebooks, backpacks, lunch pails, pencils, crayons, tape, calculators, assignment pads, construction paper, protractors, compasses, large erasers, two-pocket folders, pens, colored pencils, rulers, Elmer's glue sticks, organizers or pencil cases, pocket dictionaries, post it notes, thin markers and scissors.

In addition to these items and other school supplies, residents are also asked to consider donating a gift certificate to Staples or another office supply store. Dr. Priestley would be happy to provide a chiropractic evaluation to those who donate a gift certificate of $25 and if treatment is indicated, a chiropractic adjustment will be provided at no additional cost.

Contributions will be accepted at Dr. Priestley's office until Saturday, Sept. 14. Items will be donated both to the St. Kilian Outreach Program and to the Farmingdale School District, who will determine which families have the need for assistance. Although this is the first drive of this kind Dr. Priestley has held, drives of the past such as a coat drive, bicycle drive, sports equipment drive and food drive were all successful.

"The Farmingdale - Bethpage community has always been extremely generous when it comes to sharing what they have," Dr. Priestley said. "We have only begun this week to promote the drive and we have received over 150 items."

Residents are asked to drop off their contributions to help benefit community families in need to Dr. Priestley's Chiropractic Office, located at 81 Conklin Street in Farmingdale, up until Saturday, Sept. 14.