Gibson International Holds Back-to-School Drive for Children in Need

Brentwood real estate agency Gibson International is holding a back-to-school drive to collect clothing, shoes and school supplies for the children served by the Mar Vista Family Center.

Tina Cameron, who oversees charitable giving for the agency, said that giving back to the community is a large part of the company's ethos, and that drives such as this one are common activities.

According to the press release sent to Patch, the company is requesting new and gently used clothes and shoes and new school supplies to support the family center's programs for children of all ages, in addition to professional wear for teens and young adults in the center's young leadership program.

Lucia Diaz, CEO of the Mar Vista Family Center, added that although clothing for babies and younger children is still needed, clothes for children between the ages of 9 and 14 are particularly hard to get.

"They grow so quickly," Diaz said about children at that age. "It's hard to find clothes and shoes for them and we don't get that much."

She also said that although pencils and paper are always needed— largely because kids who come in to do homework often forget to bring them—the center does have a college preparatory program and could really use the special calculators required by advanced math and science courses in high school.

"We're also constantly looking for ink for the printers," Diaz said. "And lots of notebooks that they need for their classes."

People interested in participating in the drive can bring items to the Gibson International offices, 11538 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or they can call 310-820-0195 for more information.