Stuff the Bus for Local Students by Donating School Supplies!
Students are successful in school when they arrive prepared to learn. But many students in our Williamson County community struggle to get the basic supplies necessary to participate in the learning process. With the common goal of helping students start the school year with needed supplies, the Patricia Hart Society of United Way of Williamson County, Fairview Community Action Partnership (FCAP) and GraceWorks Ministries are collaborating on the “Stuff the Bus” Campaign, a school supply drive. Last year’s supply drive served 1200 students county-wide.
“Bringing our community together around the need for donating school supplies has made a major impact on the preparedness of the students who receive them. For some students, it can be the difference between success and failure.” says Tina Edwards, Patricia Hart Society’s Stuff the Bus Chair. “All you have to do is look at a child’s face receiving these supplies to know you’ve made a difference in their level of motivation and performance in school.” Tina was chosen as Chair because of her hands-on experience as Executive Director of GraceWorks. This year the need for school supplies in Williamson County is estimated at 1700 students.
The public is encouraged to get involved by purchasing and donating school supplies. Several area businesses that already conduct school supply drives will be collecting items for “Stuff the Bus”- Dollar General (Fairview), Publix (all stores starting July 16), and Wal-Mart (Cool Springs starting July 21). Other donation sites include: Fairview Car Wash, Fairview Recreation Center, GraceWorks and United Way’s offices at 209 Gothic Court in Franklin.
The culmination of “Stuff the Bus” will be the distribution of donated school supplies to students at two events in August. GraceWorks Ministries’ “The Big Backpack Giveaway” is Saturday, August 4th from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on the grounds of Liberty Elementary. FCAP’s “Back 2 School Bash” is Saturday, August 11th from 10 a.m.-12 noon at Fairview High School. Both events are filled with activities, prizes and fun for the whole family.
Suggested donation items include:
Backpacks (there is a great need for these)
Composition Books
3-Ring Binders
Lined and/or Printer Paper
Pocket Folders (in 6 colors with brads)
Crayola Colored Pencils and/or Crayola Washable Markers
Highlighters
Glue and/or Glue Sticks
Flash Drives
Index Cards
Scissors
Spiral Notebooks (wide ruled, not college)
For more information about the “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive, please visit these websites: uwwc.org; graceworksministries.net or fcapinc.org. or contact United Way of Williamson County at (615) 771-2312).Contact Tina Edwards/Kristi Sylvester at GraceWorks (615) 794-9055 if your church or organization would like to get involved.