Dear Editor,
As children go back to school throughout Franklin County, I am reaching out on behalf of United Way of Franklin County to express our appreciation for the enthusiastic support from community members for Stuff the Bus.
Starting in early July, community members began visiting us with school supplies at the ready, eager to “Stuff the Bus”, which is United Way of Franklin County’s call to action through our annual back to school preparation event.
Over 35 local businesses, organizations and churches hosted Stuff the Bus boxes in their entranceways and lobby’s, encouraging employees and customers to collect supplies. In addition, numerous individuals visited our office to drop off supplies. Thanks to this support, we were able to collect supplies in every community of Franklin County, reaching a total school supply collection and distribution of over $25,000 in value.
We want, especially, to thank the Friese Family and Shawn Weaver for working with us to ensure that school busses would be available and on the move for every Stuff the Bus event throughout the summer.
We are grateful for event invitations that came from Fannett-Metal Fire and Ambulance Company and the Path Valley Parade, Greencastle Market Day, Leidy’s Woodworking, My Neighbor’s Bounty, and the Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Library System, Chambersburg Market Days, Old Market Day-Downtown Chambersburg, and Cluggy’s. These events helped visibility for our efforts and connected community members to our project for every school district in our reach.
Supplies were coordinated through Chambersburg Area School District, Greencastle-Antrim School District, Fannett-Metal School District, Tuscarora School District, and Waynesboro Area School District. We appreciate the administrative and faculty teams that made themselves available through the summer for coordination of efforts and for receiving supplies, not to mention their efforts to ensure that supplies get into the hands of kids who will use them.
Stuff the Bus was supported by UPMC Health, Park Avenue Pharmacy, Luminest Community Development, and Patriot Federal Credit Union. Please visit these local sponsors and let them know how important their support is to help ensure the success of projects like Stuff the Bus.
Finally, we want to recognize the volunteers who arrived in our doors to count and pack materials, pack boxes and assist with deliveries, ensuring that supplies would be ready for schools; Employees of Corning Credit Union, Volunteers from Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post #1599 Auxiliary, Trudy Bumbaugh, Roseann Davidyock, Denise Fife, Maria Gastelum, Alyssa Gonzalez, Pam Johns, Danica Nypaver, Hammad Safi, Sabeen Safi, Yaazan Safi, Karla Tellez, Robin Yaure and Zayna Younes. This event would not be possible without your help!
As we drive to work from different corners of the community, we see the many kids and families that are waiting for their bus and on their way to school. Our hearts and prayers are with families that are working back into the routine of the school year and the many teachers and other school district employees and volunteers that will support their success every day. We wish all of you a fun, safe, and productive year!
Amy Hicks
Executive Director
United Way of Franklin County
