Long, lazy days at the pool will give way soon enough to the fast-paced start of school.

That means the race to get ready is about to begin. For families with little income and lots of children, it can be a real budget-buster.

But you can help. Below is a listing of some of the ways:

Tools for Schools: Children receiving aid through the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services get help through the annual Tools for Schools drive. Last year, 544 children got help. This year, volunteer coordinator Kathy Perun is hoping to help 600 children from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Volunteers can sponsor a child, donate money or buy a gift card. Each sponsor learns the case worker's name and the child's first name, gender, school and classroom supply list. Supplies go into a book bag presented to the child at the end of August.

"A lot of these children would come to school empty-handed if not for this program," Perun said.

Teens in a summer youth program help distribute the book bags.

"It's the best, especially the kindergartner who's really excited about going to school and says, 'How did you know my favorite color was pink?' Well, because you're a girl and you're going to kindergarten," Perun said.

Kids who don't get book bags will get $40 gift cards to help purchase their own supplies. That's especially helpful for high school students, who may not get a supply list until the first day of class.

To sponsor a child, call Perun at (804) 751-4398. Book bags must be returned to Social Services by Aug. 18. Checks and gift cards must be received by Aug. 8. Mail to Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services, Attn. Kathy Perun, P.O. Box 430, Chesterfield, VA 23832.

Bright Beginnings: Richmond-area YMCAs hope to raise $400,000 to send 2,400 disadvantaged children in kindergarten through fifth grade back to school with new backpacks, supplies and a set of clothes.

"Our philosophy is, we want children to start the school year prepared to learn," program coordinator Shelly Poole said. "While clothes don't make the child, if they're not worried about whether their pants fit or their shoes fit, they're more ready to learn."

Groups of 30 children at a time will be paired up with volunteer shopping buddies on trips to Target stores starting Aug. 4.

Contributions are accepted at local YMCA branches. For more information, call Shelly Poole at (804) 474-4347.

Share a Haircut: Between Aug. 1 and 15, every child's haircut at Hair Cuttery salons will earn a free haircut for a needy child. Coupons will be distributed through Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties' social-services departments.

Old Instruments for Young Hands: The Richmond Concert Band collects musical instruments and donates them to Richmond public schools for children who don't have money to buy or rent an instrument.

At 6 p.m. next Sunday, the band will collect instruments at an annual concert outside Albert Hill Middle School, 3400 Patterson Ave. Monetary donations will be used to buy valve oil, reeds and drumsticks, which are "disposable items that get used up," band director Mark Poland said. If you can't make the concert, donate by contacting the band at (804) 737-3767 or note@rcband.org.

If you need help: Go to your school counselor, advises Debra Marlow, director of business and government relations for Chesterfield County public schools.

"A lot of people want it to be confidential," she said. "The most confidential way to do it is to talk to the school counselor. There's one in every school.

"It can be affluent people who are struggling in this economy. The counselor can help direct you to resources."
Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or kcalos@timesdispatch.com.