Lots of stuff fills bus

Kayla Kesey, Kim Heath, Kylie Calvert, Sherry Gregory, and Alyssa Hall with First Baptist of Normandy assist in counting and sorting the supplies donated for the Stuff the School Bus campaign.
(Submitted photo)

That is one reason that the United Way of Bedford County organizes the "Stuff the Bus" fundraiser. This year marked the fourth annual event.

The community donated about 6,000 items this year for students across the county.

"Overall, it was a success," said Connie Boutwell, United Way board member. "Going in, we knew would have challenges because the state of the economy. Everyone we approached was very generous and willing to give, though.

"People told us, 'For the children, we will do this.'"

The items were distributed to schools across Bedford County based on poverty levels and age-appropriateness.

"We sent 35 boxes to the elementary schools and 25 boxes to the secondary schools," Boutwell said.

The items are given to the schools' guidance counselors to distribute.

In addition to the donation day at Walmart, drop boxes were located at different businesses across the community.

Not only did the drop boxes greatly contribute to the item total, several groups across the community did more than their share to help make the drive successful.

"Heritage Medical Center did a competition between the departments of the hospital and brought in 15 boxes of supplies," Boutwell said.

A local church also greatly contributed to the drive.

"First Baptist Church of Normandy helped us the day of the event and they boxed and counted items," said Dawn Holley, Bedford County United Way executive director.

Boutwell added that the church makes it a family event.

"They teach their kids about community service. It's kids helping kids--it's really magical," she said.

Though this fundraiser is organized by United Way, it could not be possible without help from this community.

"There's a lot of work that goes into the event and we couldn't do it without our partners," Holley said. "We couldn't do this without everybody involved. The day at Walmart, the drop boxes, it takes everyone to make these events successful."

Boutwell and Holley said that there's something each year that makes this event special.

"We found that the fundraiser was touching families and families were giving from the heart," Boutwell said.

The fact that this drive directly benefits this community also makes it special.

"This is an event where the community actually sees the results," said Holley.

United Way will sponsor a new event this winter.

"We're going to do a re-stocking in the middle of the year," Boutwell said. "Schools will be able to tell us what supplies they are in need of and we will supply them with what we can."

United Way of Bedford County is looking for ways to grow the Stuff the Bus fundraiser.

"We want to continue to grow the program. If anyone would like to partner with us in the future they can contact the United Way office," Holley said. The phone number is 684-6685.

The next United Way event will be the Day of Caring on Sept. 9. United Way partner agencies will submit community service projects and different teams will work on those projects.