Christmas may be months away, but Dominion Senior Living of Hixson is already getting into the giving spirit. The senior living community is celebrating Christmas in July by hosting a school supply drive to help students and teachers at Bethel Christian Academy in Hixson.

"The school serves at-risk students grades six through 12 in the tri-state region. According to The Education Market Association, teachers spent nearly $500 on school supplies last year, and one in ten spent $1,000 or more. The community understands that teachers pay for supplies out of pocket, and they want to ease that burden and start the school year off right. The teachers need many items, including dry erase makers, hand sanitizer, index cards, staples, copy paper, Clorox wipes, Post-it notes, paper plates, Ziploc bags, napkins and disposable cups. These aren’t typical items people think of, but they will make a huge difference in the classroom all year," officials said.

The public is encouraged to drop off supplies at Dominion Senior Living of Hixson, 2143 Northpoint Blvd., from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. A donation box has been set up in the foyer at the community. Residents and team members will deliver the items to the school on Aug. 9.
 
“We hope to leave a lasting impact on the greater community,” said Jade Alsobrook, life enrichment director at Dominion Senior Living of Hixson. “Our goal is to make the upcoming school year a little brighter for both teachers and students. Bethel Christian Academy is changing students’ lives. Not only does the school help the students receive diplomas, they also offer counseling and social services the students may need to succeed. We encourage the public to donate the items at the community because it will make a difference. Their mission aligns with ours. We honor God through service to seniors, and they honor God through service to our youth. We are proud to help this great school.”
 
"Since 2007, the cost of school supplies has jumped 88 percent for elementary students, 81 percent for middle schoolers and 68 percent for high school students. Dominion Senior Living of Hixson decided to host a school supply drive to help teachers save money. This is the first time the community has held this type of fundraiser, and they look forward to partnering with other organizations in the community," officials said.
 
“We are thrilled about this fundraiser, and we know it’s the first of many projects aimed at helping the people who live in Hixson,” said Beth Baxter, executive director at Dominion Senior Living of Hixson. “The residents are excited to see the public dropping items off. It puts smiles on their faces, and we hope when the items are delivered that the children and teachers will be smiling too. If we have extra supplies we plan to donate them to other schools in the area.”