Time to Stuff the Bus for area children
Volunteers will be stationed at each entrance with a list of needed items and collection boxes.
The United Way of Tuscarawas County will partner with HARCATUS Head Start to Stuff the Bus. Join them during the upcoming Ohio Tax Free Weekend on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Philadelphia Walmart.
Volunteers will be stationed at each entrance with a list of needed items and collection boxes. The boxes will then be delivered to the school bus parked in the lot. Items collected will be inventoried and later distributed to Head Start classes throughout Tuscarawas County.
Alternatively, for those who are unable to participate that weekend, collection boxes are located at the following locations: Parkway Auto Group dealerships on Commercial Parkway, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy, the City of Dover building during normal business hours, McInturf Realty in New Philadelphia, Twin City Medical Center in Dennison and local First Federal Community Bank locations. Several area companies also are holding employee collections.
Each year over 300 preschoolers start the school year lacking the adequate supplies to make their educational experience a success. HARCATUS Head Start serves families with incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. Head Start serves 3- to 5-year-old children.
“I am excited to see the partnership continue between the United Way of Tuscarawas County and HARCATUS Head Start. This event’s mission to promote early childhood learning fits well with our strategic goal of supporting youth opportunities,” said Sarah Spies, president of the United Way of Tuscarawas County. “The Stuff the Bus event alleviates the stress of back-to-school expenses for families and teachers, which encourages our youngest students to begin their education with fewer barriers.”
“I truly believe it takes a community to support children to be successful in life,” said Brooke Yager, HARCATUS Head Start director. “With that being said, we are excited to partner with the United Way’s Stuff the Bus event for our program. All items donated will help children within our community. From the donations to the volunteers holding the event, we appreciate all the support.”
The list of items for students and classrooms is for the age 3-5 groups. There is a need for a number of nontraditional back-to-school supplies. A few of the higher demand items include Pull Ups, crayons (regular/large), socks/underwear, tissues, glue and washable markers. A full list of needed items can be found at www.tuscunitedway.org/events. Cash donations also will be accepted with checks payable to United Way of Tuscarawas County.
Call or email United Way of Tuscarawas County at 330-343-7772 or susanr@tuscunitedway.org.