Tools 4 School

08/26/2026

River Falls Community✏📓🖍

Next year's Tools 4 School event will take place on Monday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 17 - see you then!

08/20/2026

Thank you lunch crew!!

Julie Larson is the generous, giving heart behind this part of the event. She, along with amazing volunteers from Luther Memorial and the Women's Auxiliary, have sandwiches, salads, fruit, cheese sticks and more available for the entire family to take with them after the kids get their school supplies and shoes.

You are all amazing - thank you for all your hard work in preparing this meal for the event!🥰🥰🥰

08/20/2026

Thank you to all the volunteers that helped us make this event a successful one for 346 students!

To all of you in the forefront to everyone behind-the-scenes, we couldn't do this program without each and every one of you💕

08/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who donated supplies, sponsored a supply bin at their church or place of business and gave monetary donations. This event could not be held without the support of all of YOU!
The generosity is inspiring and humbling and we appreciate everyone who supported us this year and in years past. Your donations helped 346 kids who will be able to have what they need to start their school year on the right foot!

08/19/2026

We cannot say enough about how much the kids LOVE getting their new shoes from First National Bank of River Falls - their faces are absolutely beaming when they leave the room!

Every year, the First National Bank of River Falls has a 5K Run and Walk to raise money to purchase shoes for the River Falls and Prescott communities. Please follow them on Facebook so you don't miss out on the 2027 event!

Thank you to all the bank volunteers that helped set up, clean up and put new shoes on over 340 kids-you guys rocked it!

08/14/2026

We can't have this event without paying honor to those who recognized a need and started this supply program.

The original start of Tools for School began in 1998 when those helping with the Tuesday Banquet, a free meal held at area churches once a month, started to see a real need for students in our community during the start of the school year. Eventually, Robert Gustafson, a retired school teacher, began to coordinate an event. Bob called the event the Free School Supply Event for River Falls.

As the program grew, the need for more volunteers increased. Kim Masanz took over as coordinator shadowing Bob during the 2018 event. Bob planned to be on-call for the 2019 event, but unfortunately passed away three months beforehand in May. Kim and her crew carried on and the event was a huge success.

Kim continued as coordinator until 2025 when she handed over the program to three new volunteers. We are so thankful for her help and her guidance as we navigate our first event.

Over the years, other community members have wanted to play a part in having our students that are less fortunate be able to start school off on an even playing field. Some of these include:

*First National Bank holds a fundraiser each year to supply sneakers

*Julie Larson, her family and crew provide a sack lunch for families

* The Rotary provides free books

*Several churches and businesses sponsor a bin for community members to drop-off new school supplies

*Generous monetary donors

*Bob Gustafson's family

As the new board of this amazing program, we honor everyone who came before us to make this program what it is today.

Thank you to the River Falls community for all your generosity-we couldn't do it without you💕

08/14/2026

As we near the days of the event, there are not enough words to express how thankful we are to First Congregational United Church of Christ (River Falls, WI). In addition to providing their wonderful building to hold this event for our community, they collect supplies, monetary donations, and assist with set up, take down and clean up. We are so appreciative to the staff and Pastor Chris for all the support they give us💗

08/13/2026

Shoutout #5😍

08/10/2026

Here is our fourth shoutout in our series of special shoutouts to some of our major donors🙂

08/09/2026