Duane Hicks
A “Stuff-A-Bus” drive to collect school supplies for the “Backpacks for Kids” campaign will be held this Saturday (Aug. 12) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Walmart.
The event, being co-ordinated by Camie Gray of Iron Range Bus Lines and Heather Calder and Kathy Lampi of M. Wu Dentistry, is expected to give a boost to the campaign.
While the “Stuff-A-Bus” had been held during a weekday previously, organizers thought they’d try it on the weekend, noted Calder.
“We will see how things turn out but judging by our Facebook page post feedback, we’re anticipating a good turnout,” she enthused.
For the past month or so, individuals and businesses have been donating to the local “Backpacks for Kids” campaign, now in its fifth year here.
“Everything is going so amazingly well so far,” said Calder.
“Several local businesses have given us some very generous donations,” she added.
“We have been making sure to take photos with them to put on our . . . Facebook page.”
Some of these businesses have included Betty’s, Energy Fitness, Pharmasave, NCDS, Lowerys, Brockie’s Jewellers, Sunset Country Ford, and Doug Kitowski Trucking.
“We have also had a wonderful response from individuals who have dropped by our office at M. Wu Dentistry and left us with supplies and cash donations,” said Calder.
If you can’t make it to the “Stuff-A-Bus” event on Saturday, the public is invited to drop off supplies, backpacks, or cash donations at Causeway General Insurance Brokers (229 Scott St.) or M. Wu Dentistry (1201 Colonization Rd. W.)
You also can call Dr. Wu’s office at 274-5365 to arrange for pick-up.
The public also are able to donate at The Bargain Shop, where a donation bin and cash donation box is set up.
All school supplies are appreciated.
Pencils, pens, paper, pencil cases, erasers, colouring supplies, calculators, glue sticks, and pencil sharpeners all are ideal items to donate.
Businesses are encouraged to have their employees team up and fill a backpack.
The deadline to donate items is Aug. 19, with backpacks to be distributed to Children and Family Services and Weech-it-te-win the following week.
A total of 110 backpacks were filled and given out last year–a figure Calder and Lampi hope to top this year.
