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  • United Way Executive Director Rhonda McCowen and Stuff the Bus chairperson Debi Richardson look over drop-off boxes Monday which were recently decorated by a youth group from Central Christian Church. Approximately 60 boxes are ready for the third annual campaign to collect school supplies for Jefferson County children, McCowen said. KANDACE MCCOY/REGISTER-NEWS

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June 22, 2009

Stuff the Bus kicks off in July

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Even though school has only been out for a couple of weeks, the United Way is gearing up for the new school year with its third annual Stuff the Bus program.

The program’s goal is to collect enough school supplies for children in Jefferson County which qualify for free or reduced lunches.

“We’re anticipating the need will be somewhat greater,” said Debi Richardson, chairman of the drive and president-elect of the United Way. She added this year Stuff the Bus is looking at filling over 2,000 backpacks.

This year the drive will be coordinated around registration dates for Jefferson County schools, said United Way Executive Director Rhonda McCowen. Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 will be registering children on Aug. 4 and 5.

“We want to be prepared for each of those schools so we can have those backpacks to them,” she said.

“We want to send these [backpacks] home with parents as they register their children,” Richardson said. “It seems like school just got out,” Richardson said, “but it’s going to take us that long to get the backpacks ready for registration day.”

McCowen stressed that the supply need has doubled from last year, and 60 drop-off boxes have been prepared, which were decorated by a youth group from Central Christian Church.

Last year, Stuff the Bus was given 1,000 backpacks already stuffed, Richardson explained, and this year though the United Way will receive the 1,000 packs, they will not be stuffed.

“We would love to have a sponsor for the remaining 1,000,” she said. “If we don’t get someone to sponsor, 1,000 children will get supplies but not the pack.”

Stuff the Bus will kick off July 15 at noon at Wal-Mart, Richardson said, and the United Way will be stuffing bags the week of July 27. Future activities for the drive are also being planned, and will be announced in the future. Volunteers are needed during that week as well.

“Church youth groups, 4-H groups — any civic group — we would love to give them one of the days we stuff,” Richardson remarked. “This would be a good experience for any youth group, to know that they’re helping other kids.”

School supplies needed include, but are not limited to: loose-leaf paper, binders, pencils, boxes, notebooks, glue, markers, scissors, ink pens, highlighters, glue sticks, crayons, folders, rulers and tissue boxes.

To make a cash donation, become a sponsor or for more information about Stuff the Bus, you may contact the United Way at 242-8000 or Richardson at 241-8510.

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