As students enjoy their summer away from school, Schuylkill United Way will be getting children excited about getting back into the classroom with its 11th annual Stuff the Bus event kicking off Monday.
The event is an annual school supply drive that collects hundreds of supplies for children in need. Vans will be placed inside the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, Cressona Mall and Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville, starting Monday morning. Donations will be accepted until July 29. The vans were donated by Newhurst Inc.
"Some families are not able to afford the necessities that are required for their child's education," William J. Folk III, Schuylkill United Way director of community relations, said. "The Schuylkill United Way recognizes and understands this need and is proud to host Stuff the Bus for the 11th year in Schuylkill County."
The following supplies are needed: backpacks, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, folders, rulers, crayons, highlighters, staplers and markers.
Donations will go to the children and families in the following Schuylkill United Way partner agencies: Avenues, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America/Hawk Mtn. Council, Child Development Inc., Schuylkill YMCA, Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children, SARCC, Schuylkill Wellness Services, Schuylkill Women in Crisis, Pottsville Salvation Army, Tamaqua Salvation Army and Tamaqua YMCA.
More than 1,400 children received back-to-school items donated in the event last year. Each agency carefully selects the children and families who receive backpacks, many of whom already participate in programs and services offered by the agency.
The Schuylkill United Way and the Schuylkill Mall have special promotions during the Stuff the Bus event.
Every Tuesday in July, prizes will be available during the Schuylkill County Idol. For every item someone donates, they will receive one ticket for a raffle prize drawing.
Schuylkill United Way will also host a Community Appreciation Day on July 23 at the Schuylkill Mall. Each of the 15 partner agencies will be there to provide children with a free craft or activity. The mall will be providing a lunch and a craft that day as well and McCann School of Business will be offering snow cones.
Community Appreciation Day will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with a free screening of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," compliments of Pearl Theatres.
For more information, visit www.schuylkillunitedway.org.
