August 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Stuff the Bus: Northwoods United Way to collect school supplies, masks for local students
Stuff the Bus: Northwoods United Way to collect school supplies, masks for local students
By Stephanie Kuski-
This year, however, the impending fall term feels a bit different in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although feelings of uncertainty surrounding the start of the upcoming school year have been palpable for students and parents alike, one thing neither should have to worry about is gearing up for school, whether virtually or in person.
In an effort to collect school supplies and face mask donations prior to the start of the school year, Northwoods United Way will host the annual Stuff the Bus donation drive from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 in the Walmart parking lot.
Northwoods United Way Executive Director Nancy Sattler said individuals interested in donating are encouraged to "buy two, donate one" when shopping for supplies at Walmart, so that customers already doing their back-to-school shopping can donate to the drive on their way out the door. Monetary donations will also be accepted and Sattler will purchase supplies with those funds.
Individuals can either donate school supplies and masks at the time of the event or donations can be dropped off in advance at one of several drop-off locations including Peoples State Bank, YMCA of the Northwoods and Associated Bank.
Both youth and adult masks will be collected, in addition to school supplies such as notebooks, crayons, pencils, etc. United Way volunteers will sort and repackage the supplies the following day in order to quantify the donations and separate supplies that will then be sent off to each school in the district. Those supplies will then be "quarantined" until school starts a week later.
"We ensure every school in our area gets supplies," Sattler said. "We give it to the counselors at each school and they determine which students might be in need of those supplies."
"Early on, I was alerted to the fact that there was a need for someone to collect supplies centrally and that students needed some assistance," Sattler went on. "One of the things United Way does is to support youth and families, and we want to make sure every kid in our area has the opportunity to start school on the first day with the same things - the same backpacks, the same supplies that everyone else has - so everyone has an equal chance to succeed that year."
She added that in Rhinelander last year, Northwoods United Way collected over $3,000 worth of supplies.
"Last year we literally filled the whole bus, every seat was filled with supplies," Sattler said. "That was the first year we really ever 'stuffed the bus.'"
"Walmart has been great letting us park there, Bowen's Bus (Service) has always been very supportive in donating supplies as well as bringing the bus over for us and we have a great group of volunteers," she continued. "It's fun and it's helpful to the community... It's such a great, warm, community feeling when you see someone pull up and it doesn't matter who they are, they may have received assistance in the past but they're there to help now."
Not only is this donation drive a great way to kick off the school year, it's also a subtle way of showing support, Sattler added, since students receiving this assistance will not be made known among their peers. If parents are in need of supplies for their children, they should connect with the counselors at their respective schools, she added.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the upcoming school year, Sattler said she wasn't sure if the annual event would take place, but said she's glad it will because the need for supplies is still there, and perhaps even more so now that COVID-19 has affected so many in such profound ways.
Although similar collection drives in Eagle River and Crandon were canceled this year due to lack of volunteers, Sattler noted that they are always welcoming new faces to help with future events.
To learn more about volunteering at Northwoods United Way or to ask for more information about this year's Stuff the Bus donation drive, call (715) 202-3344.
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
E-Editions
Latest News
E-Editions
Events
August
To Submit an Event Sign in first
Today's Events
No calendar events have been scheduled for today.
Comments:
You must login to comment.