Local non-profit Helping Hands Kids is taking donations and raising funds to benefit area school children this weekend. 

From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, July 6, the organization will be raffling off several items at Family Dollar on Maple Avenue at Taylor Street, including a Cub Cadet lawn mower donated by American Pride Power Equipment and a hog donated anonymously by a local butcher. There will also be a 50/50 raffle throughout the day. 

The event is in conjunction with Family Dollar’s customer appreciation day, which includes a cookout.

Raffle winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

Other donations will be for sale in exchange for school supply donations. 

As of Monday, donated items include a patio umbrella from the Rolling Hills Local School District, a tool set from AutoZone, a kids toy and bird feeder from Tractor Supply Co., a paint pan and roller from Sherwin Williams and gift certificates from Oriental Buffet and Tumbleweed.

According to organizer Debbie Barclay, all donations will be inserted into backpack for area children before they head back to school. 

Local dentists have donated toothbrushes and toothpaste to include in the backpacks. 

Barclay is also working to secure haircut donations from local salons and barbershops. 

Proceeds from the raffles will also go toward the back-to-school initiative, with the exception of funds raised by the Muskingum County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which will go right back to the organization.

Barclay is still searching for tables to use for Saturday’s event and is still accepting raffle items. Anyone able to help can contact Barclay at (740) 868-8010.