Philip D. Brown

Richmond County Daily Journal

Richmond County Schools put a dent in the demand for school supplies by raising more than $2,400 with “Stuff the Bus,” but are still sounding the call to equip children for school.

The “School Tools” drive will continue until the end of the month, and the county’s mailmen will collect supplies when they deliver Saturday.

“Stuff the Bus” was Aug. 6 and 7 in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and yielded $2,414 to give needy children the items they’ll need to succeed this school year.

“On the first day of ‘Stuff the Bus,’ we raised about $1,450, then we brought in an additional $400 on the second day,” RCS Public Information Officer Ashley Simmons said.

She said about $300 in sponsorships and about $264 in private donations came in too late to use on those two days, but they are being retained for future purchases.

“We’re really appreciative for how much concern the community has shown through their monetary donations and donations of school supplies,” Simmons said. She offered a special thanks to the Richmond County Service League, Boy Scouts of America, Wal-Mart and Richmond County United Way for their contributions.

“Once we collect everything from all the different ‘School Tools’ sites across the county, we’ll give the supplies to our school counselors, and they’ll distribute them to the neediest children,” Simmons said.

East Rockingham Elementary Counselor Stacey Fain explained the decision is made by committee at her school.

“The counselor, social worker and teachers will work together assessing needs to make sure each student at East Rockingham Elementary School has the supplies needed to be successful this year,” Fain said. “’School Tools’ plays a vital role in making this possible.”

The drive resembles ‘Toys for Tots,’ with a box set up at public locations where donors can drop school supplies. It is co-sponsored by RCS, BB&T and WSOC-TV 9.

Donation boxes are located at all county BB&T branches, Ellerbe Town Hall, Hamlet City Hall, Hamlet Public Library, Leath Memorial Library, the Richmond County Daily Journal office, Richmond County Schools Central Office, Rockingham City Hall, Time Warner Cable and WAYN 900 A.M.

In addition to these drop-off points, the U.S. Postal Service will pick up any supplies left in or beside mailboxes Saturday, as well as in the lobby of the Rockingham Post Office, to deliver to the school system.

“We’ve participated for the last several years, and we always collect a good amount of supplies,” said Rockingham Postmaster Brian Frazier. “We know that people that the supplies stay in our county to benefit the children here, and in our community everyone is always willing to be a good neighbor.”

This year’s “Stuff the Bus” total raised eclipsed last year by about $800. RCS raised $1,600 in 2009.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.