Chelsey Gladue (left) and Sonya Falcon (right) setting up for the drive (Lane Hoffart/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Lane Hoffart

Back-to-school help

North Battleford mom launches school supply drive

Aug 27, 2025 | 5:09 PM

Buying school supplies can be expensive, and few people know that better than Chelsey Gladue, a North Battleford mother of six.

To help families who may be struggling to afford school supplies, Gladue set up a back-to-school drive at Centennial Park. The drive will give families a chance to pick up items for their children without the worry of cost.

“I just kind of thought to myself, why couldn’t we as a community just come together and throw in a couple of extra things in your cart when you’re going back to school shopping if you’re able to? Or any gently used items, donate them from last year,” she said.

She said the response to her idea has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s been very nice to have so many people reach out and donate even a little bit that they could. Like even one pair of shoes or one binder goes a long way and it really made me proud as a citizen of North Battleford.”

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Tables filled with school supplies at Centennial Park (Lane Hoffart/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Sonya Falcon, Gladue’s mother, said she is amazed to see her daughter’s idea come to life. She also emphasized that people struggling to afford school supplies should not hesitate to ask for help.

“I’m overwhelmed with what she thought. Since she’s had six kids of her own, it just goes to show you that we all struggle. Reach out if you need help, don’t be scared. You’d be surprised at how many people step up to help out when they know you’re struggling.”

Gladue hopes her act of community service will inspire others to do good deeds for others. She also hopes that children having access to school supplies will help guide them towards future success.

“I just hope that there’ll be more people that want to step up and help create betterness in the community and just help our future generations. They’re our futures, so just being able to offer them even just a binder and some looseleaf and just try to give them that push to stay in school and like, stay out of the street life and out of trouble. It’s a really good feeling.”

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Lane.hoffart@pattisonmedia.com